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Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

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Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#31

I was looking up air quality monitors but can't seem to find any on amazon with a calibration certificate that will accurately measure 0.3 micro particles. Am I the only one who thinks this is a great opportunity for a smart product with an app that has the features of a professional air quality monitor and simple UI / UX? If such product exists, does anyone know where I can find it?

https://www.purpleair.com/ seems to work great for me!

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#32
post #3

I've been luring the Dyson hot and cool air purifiers, it's pretty silent from what I've heard, it also serves as both an electrical heater during the winter and a cooler during the summer. The price tag is the reason I've never bought one...

I bought one because of the fire near Chico, and I've been liking it. It's quiet enough to have in my bedroom, and the space heater aspect of it works well. It's cheaper than running the giant non-zoned furnace that heats our whole house.

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Perhaps strain on the cheap box fan motor as it tries to pull its air through the filter. I've gone through a number of those style of cheap box fans over the years, any kind of long-term resistance very near the intake seems to cause the equally cheap motors harm and shorten their functioning life considerably. I haven't seen the same motor damage problem with resistance added to the exhaust side. In absence of that…

I'd agree with this. I used to put the high-efficiency filters on my furnace, my HVAC guy said these filters are so heavy that they put a strain on the blower motor. It's better for the motor to use a plain blue fiberglass filter (MSRP $1). You're not really filtering that much out of a closed house, unless you run your forced-air A/C or Heat with the windows open.

We upgraded to a "media filter" when we got new HVAC at my house. IIRC they are 4 inches thick, which gives a lot more surface area due to the deep pleats. You can then run fairly tight filters without putting undue strain on the motor - plus they last quite a bit longer. It made a moderate difference in our house in regards to dust in the air, but we also have 3 pets and live in a very dry, dusty area.

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#35

I been pondering about this solution for months since my air purifier died back early summer. I also have an additional idea to make it more automatic by using a raspberry pi, hooking it up to a powerswitch tail (essentially cutting power to a fan) and have it automatically turn on and off depending on time of day, etc.

instead of a raspberry pi and all that entails, might I suggest a simple outlet timer

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#36
post #35

I been pondering about this solution for months since my air purifier died back early summer. I also have an additional idea to make it more automatic by using a raspberry pi, hooking it up to a powerswitch tail (essentially cutting power to a fan) and have it automatically turn on and off depending on time of day, etc.

instead of a raspberry pi and all that entails, might I suggest a simple outlet timer

Good time of year to buy them, too, what with the christmas lights and all that. $5 ballpark.

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#37
post #25

I was looking up air quality monitors but can't seem to find any on amazon with a calibration certificate that will accurately measure 0.3 micro particles. Am I the only one who thinks this is a great opportunity for a smart product with an app that has the features of a professional air quality monitor and simple UI / UX? If such product exists, does anyone know where I can find it?

With the recent California fires, I've been looking for a decent option. Unfortunately the Elgato Eve sensor is no longer sold, and the few other consumer products still hover in the $100+ range with poor reviews. PurpleAir sells an indoor sensor, but it appears to be limited release and somewhat 3D printed. https://www.purpleair.com/

Having both, I'd say that the indoor sensor is not worth it. It doesn't have both sensors so it isn't equipped to test them against each other. I do like the outdoor sensor though.

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#38

I been pondering about this solution for months since my air purifier died back early summer. I also have an additional idea to make it more automatic by using a raspberry pi, hooking it up to a powerswitch tail (essentially cutting power to a fan) and have it automatically turn on and off depending on time of day, etc.

I have mine on a homekit enabled outlet ($20) for scheduling and presence-based triggers. Unfortunately I haven't found a homekit enabled air quality sensor to pair with it.

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#39
post #31

I was looking up air quality monitors but can't seem to find any on amazon with a calibration certificate that will accurately measure 0.3 micro particles. Am I the only one who thinks this is a great opportunity for a smart product with an app that has the features of a professional air quality monitor and simple UI / UX? If such product exists, does anyone know where I can find it?

https://www.purpleair.com/ seems to work great for me!

Can the sensor be used indoors or does it have to be their "indoor sensor"? The products look interesting but the site does not inspire confidence.

Re: Build a do-it-yourself home air purifier for about $25

#40
post #37
post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With the recent California fires, I've been looking for a decent option. Unfortunately the Elgato Eve sensor is no longer sold, and the few other consumer products still hover in the $100+ range with poor reviews. PurpleAir sells an indoor sensor, but it appears to be limited release and somewhat 3D printed. https://www.purpleair.com/

Having both, I'd say that the indoor sensor is not worth it. It doesn't have both sensors so it isn't equipped to test them against each other. I do like the outdoor sensor though.

What are you using for indoors?
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