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  2. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

DIY Air Cleaner to Reduce Wildfire Smoke Indoors Infographic

Learn the steps you can take to create a do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaner in an emergency, if portable air cleaners are not available or affordable. Two designs are available a basic design and a beyond the basics design.

  • Download the Beyond the Basics Design infographic (PDF).
  • Text version of the Beyond the Basics Design infographic.

Beyond the Basic Design

how to build an advanced DIY air cleaner. Build a basic design with a box fan a one air filter. Build one with a box fan and two filters, or build one with a box fan a four filters.

Text Version of the Infographic

DIY Air Cleaner to Reduce Wildfire Smoke Indoors: Beyond the Basic Design

Good

Basic Supplies:

  • 20" x 20" x 1" or 4" air filter
    • Suggested rating: MERV 13
  • 20" x 20" box fan
    • Only use certified fans with UL or ETL markings (2012 model or newer)
  • 2p" x 20" cardboard shroud
    • cutout the size of the fan blades
  • clamps or Duct Tape or Bungee Cord 

Better

Additional Supplies: 

  • Two - MERV 13 air filters
  • Triangle cardboard cutout for base on top

Best

Additional Supplies:

  • Four or five - MERV 13 air filters
  • If using five filter design, use left supports (e.g., blocks) to allow airflow through bottom.

Ways to Improve Effectiveness:

  • Add a cardboard shroud
    • No cost improvement
  • Use thicker filters
    • 4" rather than 1" MERV 13 filters
  • Use multiple filters 
    • 2-5 filter design

Key Reminders

  • Only use certified fans with UL or FTL markings
    • 2012 model or newer
  • Keep extra filters on hand
  • Replace filters when dirty

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

  • Learn about Indoor Air Quality
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Contact Us about Indoor Air Quality
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on October 23, 2024
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