Longevity of size-dependent particle removal performance of do-it-yourself box fan air filters

Filtration performance of do-it-yourself (DIY) box fan filters deployed across a university campus was assessed over an academic year. Four DIY air filters were constructed from box fans and air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of 13 and deployed in four spaces (two laboratories that include sources of particles and two offices). They were operated 9 hours daily with a programmable timer and were continuously monitored with power meters. Particle concentrations in the spaces were continuously monitored with low-cost nephelometers. The particle size dependent clean air delivery rate (CADR) and single pass filtration efficiency for each box was measured in a laboratory before deployment and every 10 weeks, for a total of five measurements over 40 weeks. We find that these DIY box fan filters maintain robust performance over time, with each air filter maintaining at least 60% of its initial CADR at the end of the 40 week study even with daily operation in environments with modest particle concentrations. CADR values for particles of 1.0-3.0 μm optical diameter averaged 34% higher than CADR values for 0.35-1.0 μm particles, aligning with MERV 13 filter size-dependent filtration expectations. Reductions in CADR over time were attributed to a reduction in filtration efficiency, likely due to a loss of filter electrostatic charge over time. There was no strong indication that increased resistance due to particle accumulation on filters appreciably decreased flow rates over time for any of the fans. The long-term robustness of DIY box fan air filters demonstrates their validity as a cost-effective, high performance, alternative to portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.