The IKEA FÖRNUFTIG is a bargain of an air purifier, retailing at a mere US$60. Despite its budget-friendly price, the device exudes an air of elegance with its fabric cover, and it boasts the ability to be wall-mounted in any orientation, courtesy of its side-vents. The FÖRNUFTIG comes equipped with a three-tier filter system: a primary stage filter for larger dust particles such as pet hair, a secondary activated carbon filter for gases, and a final EPA12 filter for larger particles.
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Dumb is as dumb does
However, the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG isn't without its shortcomings. It's notably lacking in the 'smart' department, only featuring a rotary encoder for manual control. It lacks any form of Wi-Fi or Zigbee connectivity, which is surprising given IKEA's range of smart TRÅDFRI products. Enterprising members of the Home Assistant community have tackled this issue head-on, transforming the FÖRNUFTIG into a smart air purifier perfect for Home Assistant.
Please note that this article is purely informational. Modifying hardware carries inherent risks, and should only be attempted if you are confident in your abilities. Always disconnect devices from power sources before opening them, and take care to avoid causing any damage or creating short circuits. Undertaking this modification will likely void your warranty. Remember, you are responsible for your actions.
How the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG ESPHome hack works
The innovator behind this hack ingeniously inserted a LOLIN (formerly WEMOS) D1 mini between the rotary encoder and the FÖRNUFTIG's controller. This setup allows users to retain the use of the rotary encoder while gaining the ability to adjust the fan speed through the ESP8266 board.
The air purifier's 24V power supply has enough power to spare for the ESP8266 board, and all the extra hardware sits nicely inside the enclosure. A step-down converter (or buck converter) is required to reduce the 24V down to 5V. This converter can be neatly tucked behind the D1 mini, but be sure to avoid creating any short circuits. For safety, consider covering the back of the D1 mini with electrical tape.
Once the hardware is installed, you can flash the D1 mini with the code provided in the community thread. After reassembling the FÖRNUFTIG, you'll find your air purifier significantly smarter than before. Pair this with a hacked IKEA VINDRIKTNING air quality monitor, and you can create automations based on current air particle levels.
Why the hacked IKEA FÖRNUFTIG is perfect for Home Assistant
This modified setup could be the ideal air purifier for Home Assistant users. The IKEA FÖRNUFTIG is a no-frills device, with a three-stage fan located behind a set of filters. Gaining control over the fan essentially gives you control over the entire purifier, making it prime for customization.
The advantages of using ESPHome over a pre-packaged smart air purifier are clear: You gain complete control over all aspects of the device, it integrates seamlessly with Home Assistant, and your data remains private, with no transmissions to external servers. If the idea of hacking the IKEA FÖRNUFTIG seems daunting, there are numerous smart air purifiers on the market that can be integrated with Home Assistant. Once disconnected from the internet, these devices also won't transmit any data.
