Archive for March, 2010
How to Build an Air Filter
Why making your own air filter?
Making your own custom air filter is not only a healthy improvement to daily life in your home, but you can save an important amount of money compared to purchasing a commercial model from a store. Every home suffers from bad air quality where dust swirls and pollen are active. Now I will tell you how you can make your own air filter to create a healthier indoor environment.
How to build an air filter
In order to build your air filter you will need a medium size fan, some little wood planks, some plastic ties and a drill.
The most important thing to get is the fan. There are lots of fans available which you can buy, but a box fan from a square shaped unit is the finest suitable to fit an air filter.
Measure your chosen filter that you bought to match the size of the fan acquired. You can buy filters almost from everywhere from supermarkets to hardware stores or even on-line. Even though you want to purchase one that is close to the fan size, filters can be cut to size if necessary.
The next step is to cut four parts of wood planking to the size of your fan. Glue these together at ninety degree angles. Also slice and bond a bracing plank that holds the filter, once dropped in, from falling out of the bottom. Just be careful to make sure the glue has completely dried before handling.
Then place the filter into the custom made cover making sure it fits well before attaching the housing to your fan. If it is needed, cut the filter with a little knife before inserting it in the housing. Do it as tight and as fit as you can to stop the filter from moving once the force of the fan is applied to it.
The last operation you need to do is to make some holes at the top and bottom of the housing frame and thread a plastic tie through each. Place the tie attached to the cover to the back external frame of the fan grid using the plastic ties.
Just make sure the filter covers as much fan surface area as possible. It has to fit firmly against the fan housing and it should not move when the fan is operating.
Don’t forget to monitor the fan to make sure it does not overheat and replace the filter when dirty.
Put your custom made air filter in a place inside your home where it can be safe from people and pets.