2. misc-audio
  3. 160066-122981

Wild Fires, Air Purifiers and Sound Systems

The following is a question for western audiophiles.

The current wildfires have caused so much devastation. Yet we are seeing increasing numbers of summers where we are forced to stay indoors because of hazardous air quality from fires.

Lots of folks invest in cleaning up their power supplies and treating their listening rooms for the best sound possible. When we replaced our HVAC last year, we chose a system with passive filtration and active purification. That has done a remarkable job, but my listening room which goes directly outdoors still suffered from some smoke infiltration. So we need to purchase a portable additional unit, and I put in an order for one (back order, because everyone has same idea). What I didn’t consider was the frequency of the fans (not that one can find those specs easily). Since these work best when run continuously, the noise they produce is hard to avoid.

Does anyone have a brand of air purifier, which, while in operation, is least disruptive to the music?

This may seem an absurd and privileged question to ask when so much life is at stake. In one sense, it is; but like COVID-19, we westerners are all going to have to learn to live with these periodic conflagrations. We might as well have the healing power of music to help.
dramatictenor
erik_squires
16,249 posts
 
Hey OP,
I’ve had to do quite a bit of research onto this subject for the same reasons. A high quality furnace/AC filter which is rated to at least Merv 13/Filtrete MPR 1900 will filter out smoke very successfully. For the wood smoke we are suffering, based on the air quality reports around the LA area I have seen we need good PM2.5 as well as PM10 rating. Merv 13 starts to cover PM2.5 very well it, but Filtrete has a couple of filters in the Merv 13 range, higher MPR is better, and Merv 14 seems like it’s nearly HEPA from the stand point of wood smoke and the PM2.5.

For best results use higher rated filters. There’s a lot of work on DIY setups using box fans, duct tape and these high quality filters. The box fan setups have the advantage of being relatively quiet especially on low mode, inexpensive and they move a lot of air.

Best,
Erik

dramatictenor OP
183 posts
 
Hi Erik,

First, thanks. Yes, the furnace stuff is in good shape. The HCAC vented part of the home is smoke free and healthy. My listening room, on the other hand, used to be a covered patio. When we enclosed it, we didn't add HVAC because it frankly doesn't need it (a small electric heater in winter is enough for the 500 square feet), we couldn't extend the current system because of how house is set up,
and it would have been cost prohibitive to add a second system that again, wasn't really needed. 

So I am really asking if people have experience with portable units from a noise perspective. Regarding this DIY box fan, if I understand you correctly: duct tape a high quality filer to the back of the box fan, insuring all air must go through the filter. Then turn the fan on and let the MERV13+ do its thing. 

I wish I could attach a drawing to make sure I get this.

D
dramatictenor OP
183 posts
 
Oh, and of course all the stores are sold out of filters for the time being. I will be in great shape for the next fire, God help us all.
erik_squires
16,249 posts
 
Of course. I think I got the last Merv 13 in LA. :)

Regarding this DIY box fan, if I understand you correctly: duct tape a high quality filer to the back of the box fan, insuring all air must go through the filter. Then turn the fan on and let the MERV13+ do its thing. 

Yep.  The best Ideas I've seen use a V shaped configuration to double the surface area and air flow. 

I've used a lot of portable air filters, but the total air flow is limited, and yes, they are pretty noisy.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,903 posts
 
Living in an apartment built in the '70s, my option was to go for some Germguardian HEPA devices a couple of years ago. Just an hour ago, I had to order two more filters as the ones I have aren't doing as good a job as they used to.

Upon awakening, I can smell the ashes even though I have blackout curtains as well as vertical blinds and run the filters all day long during these fires. The smell goes away but taking a look at them shows they're at the end of their effectiveness. 

That, and there's now more dust on everything.

All the best,
Nonoise
More to discover