Hello everybody.
Here’s what I think is an interseting question. I require a filter for my central heating system that can control the smell of incense and aroma candles. I have a person living in my house that uses these things to help her sleep, but unfortunatly, the effects can be noticed all through the house, and I’m not sure I like it….
I have a high effiency DC motor variable speed system new last year. The filter bay is for the 4 inch filter media. Can’t afford an electronic air cleaner, but would that even do the trick? I have seen a fliter from manufacturer (electorstatic) that claims it will even trap cigerette smoke, but it doesn’t come in the size I need, at least not in the store where I saw it.
Apreciate any ideas.
stemreno
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An electrostatic air cleaner may help with the incense since much of what you smell is carried on smoke particles. Some people are sensitive to the ozone created by electrostatics, so that may be an issue. An electrostatic will not help for scented candles as what you smell is vaporized essential oils or synthetic perfume oils. For the latter you will need an activated carbon (charcoal) filter. See if your incense person can get by with a lavender pillow or sachet since these help with sleep, smell good and don't spread the smell as much.
my brother gave me some of those aroma therapy"candles" that had a skunky odor. This stuff worke reaql well. I tried using it as an alternative to sleep meds and pain meds. I dealt with the odor problem by blowing the fumes out the side door.
I've quit using them until I find an aroma therapy treatment for the munchies.
StemReno,
Idea number 1: convince your roommate that, since incense and candles fill the air with smoke, particulates, and odors, these products should no longer be burned indoors.
Idea number 2: pressurize your roommate's bedroom by installing a small fan in the partition between the roommate's bedroom and the adjoining hallway. Insist that the roommate sleep with the bedroom window open a crack. If the bedroom is pressurized and the window is slightly open, the evil products -- smoke, particulates, and odors -- are less likely to enter the rest of the house. Of course, this solution entails an energy penalty.
No, you don't want to pressurize, you want to create a vacuum, to keep the smoke from escaping the room. A small window fan blowing outward would be the ticket.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Ozium spray always worked for reefer smell in cars and rooms where ya didn't want the buzz.
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reefer
Are you a negro who's time travelled here from the 30's?copper p0rn
Gadzooks, you blew my cover.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Gadzooks,
Or one of the 3 Musketeers?copper p0rn
Zounds, and I haven't started the muscle relaxers yet.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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May not work if the return air is centrally located.
I like the concept of what Holladay said ... pressureize the room. Another alternative that is inexpensive is to put an exhaust fan in that room. Does the same thing. Causes the room to be negative with respect to the rest of the house. Need to take care in sizing, installing, and controlling it right to avoid energy issues while maximizing the benefit.
As another poster implied ... some odors are not particulate based, so e.g. even an electrostatic precipitator may not really work.
Beans. Eat lots of beans. And boiled cabbage and beer. Start your own aroma therapy.
Scott.
Since the smell is originating from one room I think you should filter it at the source.
Is there a return in the room? Or where is the closest return?
They make filters that fit over the return for the room.
It would also put the responsibility on the person making the smell to deal with it.
Maybe not entirely but at least they could change it out on a regular basis.
I googled return grille filter and came up with a bunch of hits.
Will Rogers
Yes, there is a return in the room as the door is tight to keep down noise transfer.
I was thinking that I could filter the grille, but still the question, what would be effective? I will google return grille filters and see what there is.
Thanks
stemreno
I tend to disagree. Filters are for solids and many smells are not borne by solids. And smoke type air 'pollution' requires more than your average furnace filter (even pleated 2" filters) ... and a stronger fan to accompany a more substantial filtration system. Not sure if an electrostatic precipitator would work ... but I question the need or the expense. Just exhaust it from the room ... best way to deal w/ pollution is at the source by isolating or separating from other systems. Unless necessary to do otherwise, you are fundamentally dealing with the problem ... in ... a less than ideal way ... you make substantial compromises and you really don't/won't get the desired result.
I agree. If they can blow it out the window go ahead.
It would be pretty easy to get a positive pressure going and crack the window just enough. You could use a little smoke to see if it is working.
I just put the idea out there about the filter. If I was going to filter I would do it at the source though.
You could filter it but the cost could be pretty high. I think a carbon filter could do it but they aren't cheap.
The last time i bought a carbon filter was for a kitchen stovetop far. It was expensive."There are three kinds of men: The one that learns by reading, the few who learn by observation and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves."Will Rogers
Is this person actually sleeping while the incense and candles are burning? That seems like a potential fire hazard to me.
Yeah, that's a whole other issue. This person lost her only son in a car accident, and is still greiving, and were not going to stop her. There is a smoke alarm right outside the door, which used to be in the room. Funny, the smoke never bothered it....
The elctrostatic filters need to go in an electronic unit? They look just the same as regular filters. I thought eletronic filters used a charged mesh. The way the advertising is on the package, it makes me think they go in a standard filter cabinet.
While searching for return air grille filters, I saw charcoal filters, would that help?
stemreno
Edited 10/22/2009 10:14 pm ET by stemreno
Now charcoal filter system may work. The concept is good, I think. But you still have to buy and install the system ... I'm guessing it will require a lot more static pressure than the average furnace fan has to offer.
I still say exhaust the room and return no air to the furnace.
Are you nuts? Some stupid mistake caused her son to die in a car accident. Your stupid choice to allow this grieving person to burn candles and incense while sleeping WILL burn down your home. Having compassion for her is commendable but take a stand against your own family's safety and move out if necessary.
Yeah, I make that stupid mistake of driving to work everyday. What on earth am I thinking?
So just how is a car accident a stupid mistake?Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
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Well, that's a strong comment! The stuff is on a fire proof plate no where near the bed, and only burns for an hour or two. I have no fear that the house will burn down. I'm not going to confront her about it or stop her. just looking for ways for me to not have to experience it.
There are two different types of "electrostatic" filters. One is electronic, and uses a high voltage to attract particles to a metallic filter. The other is a normal-looking filter (replaces a regular filter) that contains layers that ostensibly create a static charge as the air flows through.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
OK, Thanks, Dan. I saw those "self charged" ones. Do you think it will be effective?
stemreno
I've read reasonably credible reports indicating they're effective (though I don't think they'd be very effective against odors).
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Something like the Lennox PureAir system might work. It uses UVA lamps which activate a titanium dioxide catalyst to remove odors. Sort of like an ozone generator without the ozone. But it seems costly to me. I have one installed in my home's return flow, but it's never on because of electricity consumption.