Delhi’s air quality remains in the “very poor” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 347 at 12 noon today, November 8. As pollution levels continue to worsen, residents are scrambling to find ways to breathe cleaner air, with many investing heavily in air purifiers. But one Delhi resident decided to take a different route. Instead of spending thousands on a branded device, he built his own air purifier at home, and claims it reduced indoor AQI from 400 to 50 in just 15 minutes.
“I built my personal air purifier for Rs 2,000,” the man wrote in the title of the Reddit post. He explained, “So, I built this air purifier using an exhaust fan and HEPA filter, and it is working great. Even better than the Phillips one I have.”
The Reddit user, who goes by the handle “shukrant25” on the platform, shared the list of items he used to create the DIY air purifier. Alongside, he also mentioned the cost of each of the items. “Items used – 1) 150mm Exhaust fan (750 INR), 2) HEPA filter from Amazon (1000 INR), 3) Switch and Regulator + Wire (65 INR) and 4) Cardboard and Glue gun (150 INR).”
According to him, even with a minimum fan speed, the air purifier was able to bring down the AQI to a “good” level indoors. “It is able to bring 380 AQI to below 50 in less than 15 minutes at minimum fan speed,” he claimed. The room size he mentioned was 12*12-foot room.
Since many requested him to make a video explaining the process of making the DIY air purifier, he shared the video on his YouTube channel. In the video titled “How to make your own air purifier under 2000,” he explained two very important components of the air purifier – the exhaust fan and the HEPA filter.
After several Reddit users asked for a step-by-step demonstration, Shukrant uploaded a detailed video on his YouTube channel titled “How to make your own air purifier under 2000”. In the video, he walks viewers through the two key components, the exhaust fan and the HEPA filter, and how he assembled them using the fan’s original box as the purifier’s body.
He demonstrates how the HEPA filter is fixed to one side of a rectangular box, while the exhaust fan is mounted to draw air through it. A switch and regulator are attached externally to control fan speed.
‘This is a really great DIY’: Social media
Many flocked to the comments section of the Reddit post as well as the YouTube video to share their thoughts. Some even flaunted their own DIY air purifiers.
One Reddit user urged him to organise a workshop on the weekend. Another suggested he share a DIY video on YouTube.
“Air purifiers aren’t exactly rocket science… they’re just a simple IN and OUT air flow through filters,” read one comment.
Yet another appreciated him. “This is a really great DIY. Kudos to you. We really need people like you to solve such problems.”
“This is so much needed in our country. Thank you for creating this, and it actually looks simple enough that anyone can make this. I hope this goes viral throughout the country and pushes the companies to make their products cheaper for everyone… Meanwhile, we can use this instead!” commented a third.
A fourth said, “I’m going to try this weekend, will add a sensor as well. Amazing.”