How much does it cost to run a air purifier?
A typical air purifier draws about 50 watts. Used 24 hours a day, that works out to roughly $0.20 per day, $6.21 per month, and $74.46 per year on an average electricity rate of 17¢ per kWh. Air purifiers are often left on continuously, so efficiency matters.
Air Purifier running cost calculator
- Per day
- $0.20
- Per month
- $6.21
- Per year
- $74.46
- CO₂ / year
- 175.2 kg
Based on 438 kWh per year. Adjust the price per kWh to match your latest electricity bill for an exact figure.
The number that matters most is your own electricity rate. Rates range from under 11¢ per kWh in some regions to over 30¢ in others, so the same air purifier can cost two or three times as much depending on where you live. Enter your exact rate in the calculator above to get a figure tailored to your bill.
Over a full year this air purifier uses about 438 kWh of electricity and is responsible for roughly 175.2 kg of CO₂ emissions on an average grid. Reducing run time, or switching to a more efficient model, lowers both the cost and the footprint.
If this air purifier is one you use daily, even small efficiency gains compound. Cutting its usage or wattage by 20% would save around $14.89 every year — money that an efficient replacement can recover over its lifetime.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does it cost to run a air purifier per hour?
- At 50 watts and a 17¢/kWh rate, a air purifier costs about $0.01 per hour to run.
- How much electricity does a air purifier use per month?
- Running 24 hours a day, a air purifier uses roughly 36.5 kWh per month, costing about $6.21.
- Is a air purifier expensive to run?
- Not particularly — at around $74.46 per year, a air purifier is a relatively minor part of most electricity bills.
- How can I reduce my air purifier running costs?
- Use it during off-peak hours if your utility offers time-of-use pricing, reduce daily run time, and consider an ENERGY STAR rated air purifier, which uses less power for the same job.