Have you ever wondered, "Do air purifiers use a lot of electricity?" For instance, a 70W air purifier running continuously would cost you approximately 1.74p per hour, or around £12.5 per month, based on the current standard electricity tariff of 24.86p/kWh in the UK (1 January to 31 March 2025). While this may seem minimal, it’s essential to understand how these costs can add up over time, especially if you plan to keep your purifier on all day for optimal air quality.

Air purifiers are fantastic for eliminating airborne pollutants, from dust and smoke to allergens and unpleasant odours. However, the question of electricity consumption often looms large for potential buyers. Fortunately, modern air purifiers are designed to be energy-efficient, allowing you to enjoy cleaner air without significantly impacting your energy bills.

In this guide, we will explore the factors that influence how much electricity your air purifier uses. By understanding these elements, you can make informed choices that will keep your home fresh and healthy while managing your energy costs effectively.

 

 

How much electricity does an air purifier use?

Here are five things to consider when determining the cost of an air purifier's electricity:

● Size of the air purifier

● Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR)

● Energy Consumption

● Room coverage

● Smart features 

 

1) Size of the air purifier

A large air purifier will use more electricity compared to a smaller one. Nevertheless, even the largest air purifier still uses less power compared to other appliances like a room dehumidifier. In addition, the size of the dehumidifier affects its room coverage. We will talk more about room coverage below.

2) Clean air delivery rate

The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is an air quality standard established by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). Air purifiers with this certification standard are said to perform optimally, as indicated by the air purifier manufacturer. CADR is a quality assessment tool that helps consumers identify the best air purifiers on the market.

 

Another thing to note about CADR is that it assesses the effectiveness of an air purifier in terms of room size and the volume of fresh air released per minute. If an air purifier has a higher CADR rating, that unit will effectively filter out the most common air pollutants, like smoke, dust, and pollen.

 

An air purifier with a CADR rating of 42㎥/h may use less energy in an hour compared to a larger unit with a CADR rating of 200㎥/h. But remember, the higher the CADR, the more efficient the air purifier.

3) Energy Consumption

The energy consumption of an air purifier is measured in kilowatts per hour, or kWh. Most standard air purifiers designed for small and medium rooms have a consumption of around 0.003 kWh. Some advanced units have varying fan speeds, which will affect energy consumption. For example, an air purifier with a Medical-Grade H13 HEPA filter and three fan speeds may consume 0.015 kWh at low speed, 0.033 kWh at medium speed, and 0.081 kWh at high speed.

4) Room coverage

The size of the room determines how long the air purifier needs to run to purify and maintain indoor air quality. An air purifier with a 42㎥/h CADR rating will take less time to clean the air in a room measuring 40 sq. ft. The same purifier will take more time and hence consume more power to purify a larger room measuring 100 sq. ft.

 

Always go with an air purifier that matches the room's coverage. Another rule of thumb is to purchase an air purifier whose CADR is at least two-thirds of the room's coverage. For instance, a purifier with a 200㎥/h rating would be effective in a 300 square-foot room and would use less energy.

5) Smart features

Smart features on an air purifier can help you manage the unit remotely, which in turn helps save on energy. Here are some cool smart features to look for:

● Sleep mode: some air filters have a 'sleep mode’ that allows the unit to operate at lower speeds, especially at night. Not only does this feature lower noise levels, but it also ensures that the air purifiers consume less energy.

● Night light: modern air purifiers now include night mode, which dims the key-lift and indicator lights on the unit’s control panel. Reducing the panel light to half brightness helps save energy.

● In-built timer: allows you to set specific times for the air purifier to work and when to go on standby.

● Filter change reminder: reminds you when to change the filter to ensure the air purifier continues to perform optimally.

● UV light: a light that kills germs and bacteria that is linked to COVID. Besides saving on electricity, you also save yourself high medical bills by enjoying the cleanest and freshest air in your home.

 

 

Additional tips for reducing air purifier electricity cost

 

Set low speeds

You can reduce the running costs by reducing the fan speed. It can be tempting to set the purifier on high speed, especially if it is allergy season. However, a clever hack would be to set the air purifier to run all day at a low speed. This way, the unit will continuously filter out allergens and other foreign particles as they come in without consuming a lot of electricity.

 

Consider air purifier placement

Where you place your air purifier affects the air flow to the unit and the air purifier running costs. Placing the air purifier in a corner can obstruct airflow, causing the unit to work twice as hard.

 

Always place the air purifier in a central point where air flows from all sides. It also pays to place the unit a safe distance from windows and doors, which are common inlets for airborne particles and allergens. If you are using an air purifier in the bedroom, consider placing it between the window and bed or between the window and living room furniture for the best results.

 

Replace old filters

Filters play a big role in how effectively your air purifier works. Over time, filters gather dirt and debris that can hinder the performance of the appliance. For that reason, consider updating your air purifier with filters designed for the air purifier you own. You should be able to get replacement filters from the manufacturer or seller of the air purifier.

 

Get a new air purifier

Getting a new air purifier is a smart move to ensure you enjoy cleaner air in your home. Modern air purifiers now feature an advanced 4-stage air purification system that works better than conventional purifiers. The upgraded filter system has the following features:

● A Pre-Filter for sifting large particles like hair, dust, and pet dander. Pre-filter air purifiers are known to work more efficiently because fewer dirt particles clog the unit.

● A HEPA H13 filter is a medical-grade filter that will remove up to 99.95% of microorganisms measuring 0.3 microns. This advanced filter effectively removes bacteria, carbon dust, tobacco smoke, paint pigments, and asbestos from your home.

● An Activated carbon filter - this filter removes impurities, the musty odour of mould, other unpleasant odours, and any noxious gases in the air.

● An Ioniser booster filter that uses negative ions to neutralise pollutants for cleaner indoor air.

 

 

Keep doors and windows closed

Minimising the air inlets to your home ensures that the air purifier works less to eliminate indoor pollutants. Close all doors and windows leading to the room where the air purifier is placed. In hotter months, use an air purifier with a portable dehumidifier to maintain a comfortable level in any room.

 

Conclusion

We hope this article was comprehensive enough to answer all your questions regarding air purifier electricity costs in the UK. How much you pay to run an air purifier in your home will depend on the size of the unit, room coverage, clean air delivery rate, and energy consumption. Popular air purifiers in the UK now include smart features that help you customise how the unit runs to further reduce air purifier running costs.

 

FAQs

 

How much does an air purifier cost to run in the UK?

The cost of running an air purifier in the UK will depend on the energy rating of your purifier. Using the current standard electricity tariff in the UK (24.86p/kWh) (1 January to 31 March 2025) (Standard credit UK average), an air purifier with a consumption rating of 0.003 kWh will cost:

0.003 kWh x 0.34p = 0.000745p per hour

0.000745 per hour x 24 hours = 0.0178p per day

0.0178p per day x 30 days = 0.536p per month

0.536p per month x 12 months = £6.44 per year

 

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How often should an air purifier run?

An air purifier should run for as long as there is air purification to be done. You can set the air purifier to run hourly or for a full day. Setting the air purifier to low speed will use less electricity and ensure the unit operates quietly. Also, modern air purifiers feature noise levels of 54 dB and below, which is conducive to homes.

 

Is an air purifier supposed to run 24 7?

An air purifier can comfortably run for a full day if you set it right. Consider setting the purifier on low speed and switching off any smart features that are not in use, like the LED screen on the unit.

 

How much does an air purifier cost to run in a year?

The average air purifier electricity cost is £0.014 a day, £4.2 a month, and £51.5 a year. This cost estimate is subject to change depending on factors such as the type of dehumidifier, the electricity tariff you are on, and the changing seasons of the year.

0.024 kWh x 0.24p = 0.0059p per hour

0.0059p per hour x 24 hours = 0.14p per day

0.14p per day x 30 days = £4.29 per month

£4.29 per month x 12 months = £51.5 per year

 

How long should you keep an air purifier on?

If possible, allow the air purifier to run all day to continuously remove smoke, dust, odour, pollen, pet allergies, and other allergens in your home. The longer you leave the air purifier running, the cleaner the indoor air in your home. To save on electricity, consider using the lowest fan speeds.