Build a do-it-yourself air purifier for about $25
Living in the Northeast with winter coming, I was looking at various air purifiers so I wouldn't have to keep windows open letting in the cold air and raising my heating bill. The units I needed for my whole basement were in the $800+ range so I tried to find a DIY solution.
I found this video on YouTube and I gave it a shot. It really works.
For those that may not be able to see the video, you take a 20 x 20 inch box fan and place a 20 x 20 inch filter on the back. It sticks on it's own when the fan is on so it's simple to set up. The filter is on the front of the fan in the video but it's much easier in the back.
I have rodent racks in my basement and there's a definite odor on Saturday morning (cleaning day). I ran the fan, with the filter attached, overnight on Friday and the smell was completely gone on Saturday morning, before cleaning. You can notice a difference in the air quality also.
Here's the fan I used. Cost was $15.
Here's the filter. I chose this one because it removes bacteria also. Cost was $20.
Filters are rated with a MERV number from 1 to 16, with 16 being the best. Home Depot rates them from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best but the MERV rating is more accurate. The filter above is a MERV 12 / Home Depot 10.
I was using a fan in the basement to keep air moving. Sticking the filter on the back did not restrict the air flow. I use another smaller fan at the other end of the room to keep the air flowing back towards the filter (circular flow).
The rodents noticed the difference, too! They sleep better and don't complain as much. They certainly smell better.
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