How To Make An Air Conditioner Filter

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High-end air filters become pretty plush, but you don't have to let a price tag get between you and cleaner air. If you take some basic supplies or structure skills, yous can brand your ain filter for a fraction of the price. The easiest way to do this is past simply attaching a filter to a standard box fan. For a more intricate, portable filter, try creating a frame out of a plastic saucepan. If you're expert at crafting, use plywood to create a wood frame for a more powerful filter. Install your finished filter in an enclosed room to purify the air and breathe easier at habitation.

1
Purchase a fan y'all can fit with a filter. Ideally, find a fan that is the same size as normally available filters. Endeavor using a 20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) box fan since you lot are likely to find something that fits exactly over it. If you lot choose something other than a box fan, make certain it has a place you lot can stick the filter to secure information technology in place.^[1]
- For instance, some round fans take metal spikes in the center where the front cover attaches. Y'all can stick the filter on the spike. Information technology isn't the prettiest solution, just it's effective for making a basic air filter.
two
Select a high-quality filter that fits over your fan. Filters are rated for their effectiveness at capturing particles in the air. Look for twenty in × xx in (51 cm × 51 cm) HEPA filters, which trap fifty-fifty the smallest particles in the air. HEPA furnace filters rated MERV 13 and FPR 10 are the best options available if you tin can't get a standard air filter.^[2]
- Filters are available online and at virtually hardware stores.
- MERV and FPR are merely rating systems used in different places, then don't worry likewise much about them. MERV 13 and FPR 10 point the almost effective filters used in habitation settings.
- You tin can use alternative filters, such as MERV eleven. Lower-rated filters are a niggling less effective at purifying the air, but they are nonetheless good and may save you a trivial coin.
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three
Line up the filter so the fan moves air through information technology. Wait for an arrow printed on the filter's frame showing you which way you need to align the filter in order for information technology to work. You can install the filter in front of or behind the fan, only usually, putting it on the back of the fan is easier. The filter works either way, so it depends on your preference and where you have space to adhere it.^[3]
- The arrow ever needs to point in the management of the air catamenia. When the filter is backside the fan, the arrow points toward the fan's blades. When information technology's in front of the fan, information technology points away from the blades.
4
Tape the filter in place or apply an culling attachment. The easiest mode to keep the filter in position is to use duct record or some other potent adhesive. Simply lay record over the filter's frame and the fan'due south frame. If yous're not using a box fan, look for alternative zipper points.^[iv]
- For example, if you lot're using a round fan, remove the front encompass and look for a metallic fasten to skewer the filter on.
- An alternative attachment method is to apply brackets. Drill a pair of ¹⁄₁₆ in (0.xvi cm) holes through the top of the fan's casing. Purchase brackets with ⁱ⁄₁₆ in (0.16 cm) screw openings, screw them to the fan case, so slide the filter underneath the bracket prongs.
5
Put the filter in an enclosed room and turn it on. Small fan filters work most efficiently in smaller rooms, such as bedrooms. Plug the fan in and turn it on to begin filtering. Brand sure y'all experience the fan pulling or pushing air through the filler screen.^[5]
- The filter somewhen stops working, and so program on removing it when it starts turning black. Replace the filter about every 90 days.
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i
Measure the bore of a small-scale fan. The fan needs to fit inside whatever plastic bucket yous plan on using for the filter. Try using a five US gal (19 L) bucket for maximum space and filtration. Choose a fan, such every bit a portable viii in (20 cm) fan designed to sit down atop a table, that fits in the saucepan. After figuring out its diameter, subtract nearly ¹⁄₂ in (ane.3 cm) from the final measurement.^[vi]
- Subtracting a little length from the diameter ensures the fan doesn't fall through the lid when you install it.
- Another choice is to put the fan inside a small laundry handbasket. Laundry baskets usually have air vents, so you don't need to cut out holes as you do with a bucket.
2
Cut a hole for the fan in the bucket's chapeau. Mark the lid with a pencil, creating a pigsty in the eye according to your bore measurement. Apply a utility pocketknife to cut out the plastic you demand to remove. Piece of work carefully to avert damaging the outer edges of the lid.^[vii]
- Remember to make the hole a niggling smaller than the bore of the fan. Centre the hole and continue it equally even equally possible all the way around.
iii
Make holes in the bucket to let air into information technology. Creating the holes can be somewhat time-consuming, but a hole saw cuts right through the plastic. Endeavour using a 1 ⁱ⁄₂ in (three.8 cm)-bore blade to drill cleanly through the sides of the bucket. Create the holes in columns, leaving virtually ¹⁄_ii in (1.3 cm) of space between each hole.^[eight]
- You can make most 5 holes per column. Brand every bit many columns equally possible to let plenty of air into the bucket for filtering.
- Try making some of the holes a different size. Drill four columns on opposing sides, and then switch to a 2 in (5.ane cm) drill bit. Fill in the remaining space with columns of bigger holes.
- Consider sanding the holes smooth with 120-dust sandpaper or a rotary tool to improve your filter's appearance.
iv
Choose and cut a filter to fit into the bucket. Shop for a HEPA filter, preferably ane without a frame. Once you lot have the filter, mensurate the bucket from the bottom to just above the top pigsty. Measure this same width on the filter, then cutting information technology to size with scissors.^[nine]
- If your filter has a frame on information technology, cut around the frame beginning to remove it. Some other option is to install the filter on the side of the saucepan by drilling one big hole instead of a agglomeration of small ones.
v
Whorl the filter up and fit it in the bucket. Use the filter as a liner inside the bucket. Button it confronting the sides of the bucket until information technology sticks in place, covering the holes completely. The filter normally sticks in place if it is the correct size, but you can also add duct tape to secure it to the plastic.^[10]
- Rolling the filter up a few times can assistance you fit information technology. Most filters are foursquare-shaped, then they tend to scroll upwardly and fall over until you pause them in.
6
Cut a notch in the tiptop edge of the bucket for the fan cord. Utilise a crafting knife or another tool, such equally wire cutters, to brand the notch. Brand information technology well-nigh ^ane⁄₄ in × ^one⁄₂ in (0.64 cm × 1.27 cm) in size. Examination the notch by attempting to slide part of the fan's electric cord into it.^[11]
- Make sure the cord stays firmly in the notch, out of the way of the lid.
vii
Fit the fan inside the lid and the bucket. Slide the fan through the lid so the fan'southward blades face upward. The top one-half of the fan'southward case sits on summit of the bucket then the fan blades accident air dorsum into the room. Drop the base of the fan downward into the bucket, leaving the cord in the notch you lot cut. When yous're done, plug the fan into the nearest wall outlet to begin purifying the air in the room.^[12]
- Remember to check the filter every so often. It gets muddy as information technology takes in droppings from the air, so replace it well-nigh every iii months.
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ane
Take the dorsum casing off of a box fan. Select a fan you lot wish to use for your filter. The ideal fan is a twenty in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) box fan since similarly-sized filters are common. Locate the screws on the back part of the fan and turn them counterclockwise to remove half the case, equally well as the fan's handle if information technology has one. Exit the other half of the example in place over the fan blades.^[thirteen]
- You can remove the fan'due south control knob if you wish by locating a screw shut to information technology on the frame. Replace the knob later with a longer ane fabricated from forest attached to a bronze pipe.
- Every bit an alternative, as well remove the forepart part of the case. Later on measuring the fan's diameter, cut a matching pigsty in a piece of styrofoam. Split up the styrofoam into ii halves to fit around the fan, preventing the filter from rattling while information technology is running.
two
Measure out and cut plywood boards for the filter's frame. To create an inexpensive but durable frame, get several ³⁄₄ in (one.9 cm)-thick pieces of plywood. Cut 4 boards to be a little longer than the fan. If you lot're using a standard box fan, make the boards well-nigh 21 in × viii in (53 cm × xx cm) in size.^[fourteen]
- If yous're using something other than a 20 in × xx in (51 cm × 51 cm) box fan, measure the fan as needed to determine what size its frame needs to be. The frame always needs to exist bigger than the fan then you tin can install the filters behind information technology.
3
Mark slots for the filters in one of the frame boards. Measure upwardly about ¹⁄₂ in (i.iii cm) from 1 of the longer edges on the board. Mark the spot, then measure out another one in (2.5 cm). The first filter fits in the expanse between these marks, and so repeat the measurements again to fit the 2nd filter right backside it.^[15]
- Use a ruler to make straight lines all the way across the boards through the areas you lot marked. Leave the outlines about ^ane⁄₂ in (1.iii cm) curt of the sides of the lath.
- You may wish to marking the slots with diagonal lines or other pencil marks to ensure you don't cut the incorrect areas. The areas y'all need to cut can exist a little tricky to distinguish.
4
Cut the slots into the board with a jigsaw. Employ the jigsaw to cut out the parts designated for the filter slots. The slots don't extend all the way to the edges of the board, so be careful when cutting. Leave a minor perimeter of forest around each slot, as indicated by your outline, to ensure the frame is steady.^[sixteen]
- Article of clothing goggles, ear muffs, and a dust mask to protect yourself while yous work.
- If yous don't have a jigsaw, try using a table saw or round saw. Lower the plywood onto the saw advisedly, cutting along the outline you marked on the forest.
5
Utilise woods glue to bind the pieces together. Arrange the boards in a box shape, positioning the board with the filter slots on the left or right. Then, spread gum between the lath joints, pressing them together until they stick in place. The glue takes about 30 minutes to begin solidifying, but for maximum effect, await most 24 hours for information technology to cure.^[17]
- Use clamps to agree the frame together while assembling it and waiting for the mucilage to dry out. Yous can also take this opportunity to add nails to secure the boards together more firmly.
- Test the frame by fitting the fan in it. Identify the fan on the opposite side of the slots for the filters. Marshal its edges with the edges of the boards.
6
Cut 3 wood strips to form tracks for the filters. Create pieces about 21 in × 1 in (53.3 cm × 2.5 cm) in size by cutting the remaining plywood or past using other forest scraps available. Reduce the length of each strip as needed so y'all are able to barely clasp it within the frame.^[18]
- Test the parts as needed by attempting to place them inside the frame. Cut them downwards gradually until y'all are able to fit them securely.
7
Glue the track pieces to the bottom role of the frame. Line the forest pieces up with the slots you cut in the side of the frame. Identify i of the pieces correct behind the fan, gluing it to the bottom frame board with wood mucilage. Leave a 1 in (2.5 cm) gap between information technology and the second piece. Repeat the pattern with the 3rd slice.^[nineteen]
- Make sure the wood pieces line upwards properly with the slots. If they block the slots, you won't be able to slide the filters into place.
8
Cutting and mucilage a plywood edge over the meridian of the fan. The border neatens upwards the filter and helps hold the fan in identify. Kickoff, measure out the altitude between the fan's casing. Outline this in pencil on a piece of plywood, cut it out with a jigsaw or another tool. When you're done, glue it to the frame boards around the fan.^[20]
- Put the edge on the forepart side of the filter, just make sure information technology doesn't cover the fan's blades.
9
Slide the filters into the slots to complete the filter. Purchase some quality HEPA filters for your device. Get foursquare filters the same size of your fan, unremarkably 20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm). Merely push them into the frame by using the slots y'all cut on the side. When you lot need to remove them, pull them dorsum out of the slots.^[21]
- Look for the arrows printed on the filters. Make sure they betoken in the direction of the airflow, which means the arrows point toward the fan blades in this pattern.
- This is a basic, strong filter, but you can customize your blueprint. For instance, make the frame bigger so you tin can put an extra filter in front. Endeavour creating a handle or cutting a slot for the power cord.
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Store-bought air filters are expensive, simply they contain the same kind of technology you lot use in bootleg ones. The homemade ones are only as constructive despite being much cheaper.
Customize your filter design. All filters operate the same style, but you can use dissimilar techniques or materials to make components like the frame.
Filters need to be changed out every so ofttimes. On average, quality filters last 3 months, merely you may need to change yours more frequently due to pets or other factors.

Using saws and other cut tools is unsafe, and then always take proper safety precautions. Wear protective goggles, ear muffs, and a dust mask.

Things You'll Need

20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) box fan
20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) HEPA filter
Duct tape

Desktop fan
5 US gal (19 L) saucepan
Utility knife
Pencil
Hole saw
1 ^one⁄_two in (3.8 cm) saw bract
HEPA filter

20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) box fan
ii 20 in × 20 in (51 cm × 51 cm) HEPA filters
4 or 5 ³⁄₄ in (1.9 cm)-thick pieces of plywood
21 in × 1 in (53.3 cm × 2.5 cm) plywood strips or scraps
Ruler
Pencil
Straightedge
Jigsaw or table saw
Wood glue

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