Reducing Indoor Wildfire Smoke With a Box Fan and Air Filter

​Purifying The Air With A Box Fan And Air Filter During Wildfires

There is no doubt about it – wildfires can cause the quality of indoor air to decline and exacerbate health issues for people with heart and lung disease. This is unfortunate, but wildfire season typically runs from spring to the start of the late-year wet season, depending on what part of the country you reside in. Luckily, there is a way to improve the quality of your indoor air during wildfire season, without fancy air purifiers that cost a ton of money. If you live in an area frequented by wildfires, the following hack involving a box fan and air filter may be just what you need.

​Basic Facts About Wildfires

The time and duration of wildfire season will depend on the area you live in. While it typically starts in the spring, those in Northern California often start to see wildfires in late July and early August. In the eastern part of the country, whether there is a wildfire season will depend on how wet the winter has been and if tropical systems bring enough rain throughout the summer and fall months. The drier it is, the more likely a wildfire will occur.

Regardless of where you live, when wildfires occur, they can alter the air you breathe for the worse, both outdoors and in. Ideally, the best way to avoid any potential problems is to stay inside a building with a powerful air filtration system, but it isn’t always plausible or possible to do so. Some homes do not have air conditioning, and even if your home does have air conditioning, your filtration system may not be strong enough to keep the smoke and other airborne contaminants at bay. If you find yourself in such a situation, the age-old hack involving a fan and air filter may help.

How to Get Started

To get started, you will need strong tape, a 20x20 box fan, and a 20x20x1 air filter of your choosing. Find the back of the fan (the side the air flows through) – the air filter will be attached to this side. Once you locate the right side of the fan, use the tape to attach the filter. Be sure the arrows on the air filter point towards the fan. This will keep the filter working properly as the air is moved from the back of the fan. After completing this step, you are done and there is no need to buy a pricey air purifier.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Air Filter Fan

Use your air filter in an enclosed room. Make sure windows and doors are closed so excess smoke cannot make its way into the room.

• Purchase the most efficient filter possible.The ideal filter will be capable of filtering out both fine particulates and smoke.
• Be sure there is no furniture blocking the fan and its flow of air.
• Change your filter when it becomes discolored. Its lifespan will depend on how much smoke and particulates it filters out.
• Only run your fan while people are in the room.

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