4 ms·

That’s a great idea. What kind of filter do you use?

by TedDoesntTalk 4y ago

newsclues 4y ago
Standard furnace filters, pick the level of filtration you desire/can afford.
- bombcar 4y ago
  I've had surprisingly good luck in my area finding brand-new furnace filters at Goodwill for quite cheap. HEPA, too. If you're making your own setup the size doesn't matter as much so that can be a good way to go.
- azth 4y ago
  I use a furnace filter (3M brand 2200 (merv 13) or even 2800 (merv 14)), and I tape smaller merv 13 filters on the outbound vents in the bedrooms. Those latter ones clearly need changing every couple of months as they become quite dark. So clearly the furnace filter is not sufficient, at least in my case.
tiahura 4y ago
https://www.uofmhealth.org/media/19281 https://www.uofmhealth.org/media/19281
totetsu 4y ago
Some really good discussion of this has happened on HN last time California was on fire.
- seanp2k2 4y ago
  Given the wildfire risk for this summer[1], I'd say this article is quite timely. 1. https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_sea...
jefftk 4y ago
If you're doing one filter per box fan, I'd go with a MERV-14: https://www.jefftk.com/p/merv-filters-for-covid https://www.jefftk.com/p/merv-filters-for-covid
- formerkrogemp 4y ago
  This is very similar to what hobbyist mushroom growers use in our setups to inoculate substrate in a 'sterile' environment. Other methods include using sterile, hot oven air, buying very expensive equipment, and making a still air box at home with a plastic tote box. Good times.
  - titanomachy 4y ago
    In college we used to work under a bunsen flame, is that not enough space?
    - formerkrogemp 4y ago
      I think a lot of those options are born out of creativity. Inoculation typically happens from jar to jar or from a jar to a block of substrate for instance. A Bunsen burner would probably work well for many applications in mycology. I only ever used one in cell bio, and only a mini Bunsen in my mushroom hobby.
TurkishPoptart 4y ago
Is that enough for allergens, smoke, and pet dander? I don't care about virus filtration (which is not going to happen anyway, if it's something I'm making out of cardboard and duct-tape)
- tgsovlerkhgsel 4y ago
  You're not getting a "guaranteed certified safe" environment with cardboard and duct tape, but there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get a significant risk reduction. You're trying to reduce the viral load in the air, not build a BSL4 lab.
- jjeaff 4y ago
  You would be hard pressed to find much difference between one of the diy jobs and a hospital grade system (although you might need to add a UV light) assuming you use the same filters. The reason is, it's not about having some perfect seal with dirty air going in one side and sterile air coming out the other. It's about recirculating the same air over and over through the filter catching a little bit more particulate matter each time.

That’s a great idea. What kind of filter do you use?

newsclues 4y ago

Standard furnace filters, pick the level of filtration you desire/can afford.

bombcar 4y ago
I've had surprisingly good luck in my area finding brand-new furnace filters at Goodwill for quite cheap. HEPA, too. If you're making your own setup the size doesn't matter as much so that can be a good way to go.
azth 4y ago
I use a furnace filter (3M brand 2200 (merv 13) or even 2800 (merv 14)), and I tape smaller merv 13 filters on the outbound vents in the bedrooms. Those latter ones clearly need changing every couple of months as they become quite dark. So clearly the furnace filter is not sufficient, at least in my case.

tiahura 4y ago

https://www.uofmhealth.org/media/19281 https://www.uofmhealth.org/media/19281

totetsu 4y ago

Some really good discussion of this has happened on HN last time California was on fire.

seanp2k2 4y ago
Given the wildfire risk for this summer[1], I'd say this article is quite timely. 1. https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf https://www.predictiveservices.nifc.gov/outlooks/monthly_sea...

jefftk 4y ago

If you're doing one filter per box fan, I'd go with a MERV-14: https://www.jefftk.com/p/merv-filters-for-covid https://www.jefftk.com/p/merv-filters-for-covid

formerkrogemp 4y ago
This is very similar to what hobbyist mushroom growers use in our setups to inoculate substrate in a 'sterile' environment. Other methods include using sterile, hot oven air, buying very expensive equipment, and making a still air box at home with a plastic tote box. Good times.
- titanomachy 4y ago
  In college we used to work under a bunsen flame, is that not enough space?
  - formerkrogemp 4y ago
    I think a lot of those options are born out of creativity. Inoculation typically happens from jar to jar or from a jar to a block of substrate for instance. A Bunsen burner would probably work well for many applications in mycology. I only ever used one in cell bio, and only a mini Bunsen in my mushroom hobby.

TurkishPoptart 4y ago

Is that enough for allergens, smoke, and pet dander? I don't care about virus filtration (which is not going to happen anyway, if it's something I'm making out of cardboard and duct-tape)

tgsovlerkhgsel 4y ago
You're not getting a "guaranteed certified safe" environment with cardboard and duct tape, but there is no reason why you shouldn't be able to get a significant risk reduction. You're trying to reduce the viral load in the air, not build a BSL4 lab.
jjeaff 4y ago
You would be hard pressed to find much difference between one of the diy jobs and a hospital grade system (although you might need to add a UV light) assuming you use the same filters. The reason is, it's not about having some perfect seal with dirty air going in one side and sterile air coming out the other. It's about recirculating the same air over and over through the filter catching a little bit more particulate matter each time.