Found this interesting, really nothing that I didn't figure already.
CBC Marketplace expose on air purifiers.
- Thread starter petek
- Start date
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it would be interesting to try using one of the 4" or 5" filters with the box fan...
Box fan purifier
I may give that a try. I have a nice old Kenmore box fan I could use. I've had numerous types of air purifiers over the years, from big console electrostatics, table top electrostatics, Honeywell hepa's etc. and none of them amounted to much. They never made much of a noticeable difference in the dust. (We have boiler heat, no furnace) They're okay in a smaller room that can be closed off but to expect any of those to purify a large living/dining/kitchen area with open hallways off to yonder is fanciful thinking.
I may give that a try. I have a nice old Kenmore box fan I could use. I've had numerous types of air purifiers over the years, from big console electrostatics, table top electrostatics, Honeywell hepa's etc. and none of them amounted to much. They never made much of a noticeable difference in the dust. (We have boiler heat, no furnace) They're okay in a smaller room that can be closed off but to expect any of those to purify a large living/dining/kitchen area with open hallways off to yonder is fanciful thinking.
I have had one of those square filters on the back of my vintage Kenmore box fan since the Camp fire that roared through Paradise, CA a couple of years ago generated toxic smoke that hung in the air over hundreds of miles away, including where we live.
I used it again this past summer when all of the local fires were burning as a result of lightning strikes back in August. I ran it 24/7 for a few days.
Good to know it's as good, and in most cases, better at cleaning the air than an expensive purifier. I only paid $5 for the fan about ten years ago. Picture was from when I first got it. I removed and stored the legs so I could use it in a window.
I used it again this past summer when all of the local fires were burning as a result of lightning strikes back in August. I ran it 24/7 for a few days.
Good to know it's as good, and in most cases, better at cleaning the air than an expensive purifier. I only paid $5 for the fan about ten years ago. Picture was from when I first got it. I removed and stored the legs so I could use it in a window.
Excellent
Thanks for posting. My younger son is asthmatic and interested in an air filter. This is timely information for us.
Sarah
Thanks for posting. My younger son is asthmatic and interested in an air filter. This is timely information for us.
Sarah
First off that program could have been edited by half. Ended up fast forwarding through much after plodding along early parts.
Have an Austin Healthmate which like BlueAir is highly ranked etc... air cleaner. Thing does work for what it is and can tell when cleaning pre-filter.
Where HEPA air purifiers, cleaners, or whatever get you is cost of replacement main filters.
The Austin Healthmate models have a huge tank type filter that costs near half or more what one pays for entire thing brand new. It same sort of game printer makers play with replacement ink cartridges. They get you first time with initial purchase, then zap you again each time need to replace toner or ink.
Manufacturers counter claims of effiency with fact that main filters must be changed according to schedule. Given cost most don't, and thus eventually effectiveness of appliance declines.
Other thing is obviously leaving windows open or rooms without closed doors decreases effectiveness. That is if you have a constant stream of fresh air coming into area (from any source) it will need to be "cleaned" otherwise area is just contaminated all over again.
Have an Austin Healthmate which like BlueAir is highly ranked etc... air cleaner. Thing does work for what it is and can tell when cleaning pre-filter.
Where HEPA air purifiers, cleaners, or whatever get you is cost of replacement main filters.
The Austin Healthmate models have a huge tank type filter that costs near half or more what one pays for entire thing brand new. It same sort of game printer makers play with replacement ink cartridges. They get you first time with initial purchase, then zap you again each time need to replace toner or ink.
Manufacturers counter claims of effiency with fact that main filters must be changed according to schedule. Given cost most don't, and thus eventually effectiveness of appliance declines.
Other thing is obviously leaving windows open or rooms without closed doors decreases effectiveness. That is if you have a constant stream of fresh air coming into area (from any source) it will need to be "cleaned" otherwise area is just contaminated all over again.
Agreed that the house or room needs to be closed up. Of course during the fires, this place was buttoned up tight, so the fan was recirculating and filtering the whole time. It really made a big difference
One thing I'm not sure about is how a filter on the back of a box fan impacts the motor. I ran the fan without the filter for cooling purposes during the summer up until the smoky conditions made it necessary to use it for indoor filtering, and the difference in the sound of the motor and the RPM/velocity of the air the fan produced was pronounced. Given the fan is vintage and has an over-engineered motor compared to the plastic stuff made today, am I doing any real harm to the motor with a filter reducing the amount of air it can draw through the box?
One thing I'm not sure about is how a filter on the back of a box fan impacts the motor. I ran the fan without the filter for cooling purposes during the summer up until the smoky conditions made it necessary to use it for indoor filtering, and the difference in the sound of the motor and the RPM/velocity of the air the fan produced was pronounced. Given the fan is vintage and has an over-engineered motor compared to the plastic stuff made today, am I doing any real harm to the motor with a filter reducing the amount of air it can draw through the box?
Plodding along
Oh yes,, I was sitting there watching it with my finger on the FF button,, get on with it. I guess they have to fill the time slot. What else was interesting was that one couples house looked so clean and yet had some of the worst readings. I was thinking of their poor mom living in the basement. I don't think they checked for radon or maybe I skipped over that part. I don't worry too much at our house about voc's etc. because it's not an airtight house being built in the 50's, plus we use the hood fan a lot during cooking etc. It's just the dust that drives me LOL
Oh yes,, I was sitting there watching it with my finger on the FF button,, get on with it. I guess they have to fill the time slot. What else was interesting was that one couples house looked so clean and yet had some of the worst readings. I was thinking of their poor mom living in the basement. I don't think they checked for radon or maybe I skipped over that part. I don't worry too much at our house about voc's etc. because it's not an airtight house being built in the 50's, plus we use the hood fan a lot during cooking etc. It's just the dust that drives me LOL
Wrap our big vintage Patton fan with filters sold for use with commercial fans. They are either made from type of fuzzy material or electrostatic cloth. Either way there is a small decrease in output of air velocity. Know this because if filter is removed while fan is operational output of air increases.
Whether this drag on intake air flow causes motor to work harder and thus may shorten lifespan cannot say. In any event wouldn't change because operating a box or any fan without a filter just blows dust, dirt and god only knows what else all over room.
Case in point is computers; front grille of many desk top PCs is often coated with dust. Inside is often caked with dust, and back grill (and blades) where fan exhaust air they've pulled in from front often are full of dust as well.
As it relates to things near and dear to us in forum we know all sorts of appliance fans such as those in dryers, condensers, etc.. get coated with dust from air they've pulled in.
Whether this drag on intake air flow causes motor to work harder and thus may shorten lifespan cannot say. In any event wouldn't change because operating a box or any fan without a filter just blows dust, dirt and god only knows what else all over room.
Case in point is computers; front grille of many desk top PCs is often coated with dust. Inside is often caked with dust, and back grill (and blades) where fan exhaust air they've pulled in from front often are full of dust as well.
As it relates to things near and dear to us in forum we know all sorts of appliance fans such as those in dryers, condensers, etc.. get coated with dust from air they've pulled in.
