Updates

Steps 1, 2, and 3:

We set out to answer the question:  How effective is a home-made, miniature and portable CR box at improving indoor air quality?  Is it an effective tool to share with others?  

We made a hypothesis about the eACH and particulate reduction over one hour (see below), planned our experiment, and then enacted the steps:

1. We measured the room size.

2. We charged up the particle level in the room by lighting a candle and also a sage bundle and letting them burn for 3 minutes before putting them out entirely.

3. We placed the air quality monitor (Micro Critter) in the center of the room (and set it to measure and record data every one minute), turned the CR Box on high, and left the room quickly, closing the door behind us.  The room's windows were also sealed with plastic for cold weather.

4. We returned in 40 minutes (scheduling cut our hour short), and collected the data both in graph and in logged number form from the Micro Critter.  The Micro Critter has a function to measure the eACH and ACH over time, so we did not need to make calculations ourselves.

Step 4a: Gather Data

We recorded our room dimensions, and then utilzied our Micro Critter to take measurements of CO2 and particulates every minute for the entire 40 minutes.  The photo below shows the starting and ending measurements as well as the calculated eACH.

Step 4b: Analyze Data

We discussed our hypothesis and why our results differed.  We also discussed whether or not our box was effective at removing particulates/ air changes, and compared the results of a follow up "control" test that we did as well, without utilizing the mini CR Box at all.

Steps 6 & 7: Draw a Conclusion and Communicate Findings

Here we discussed the effectiveness of our mini CR-Box, and the best conditions to use it in.  We also agreed we would share our findings online with others (here).