How Much Electricity Does an Air Purifier Use
There is no doubt about the fact that air purifiers can promote fresh air and helps to improve your indoor air quality to a huge extent. But how much electricity does an air purifier use? And is it very costly to use them?
Air purifiers use a minimal amount of electricity and you can always get an idea about the power consumption before making a purchase so as to make the most suitable decision. There are a plethora of options available in the market today when it comes to air purifiers.
And it is very easy to feel overwhelmed. However, if you want to specifically learn about the power consumption of air purifiers and how much you will be spending on it, this article is just perfect for you.
Let’s dive right into it.
What is an air purifier?
An air purifier is a device that contains single or multiple filters and has a fan. The primary objective of an air purifier is to eliminate allergens and contaminants in the air and emit fresh air for you to breathe. I
t does that by sucking in polluted air with the help of the fans and then passes this air through the filters.
These filters then trap harmful pollutants and particles and push out the clean air. The entire process might seem simple but it can improve the air quality quite significantly.
Why do you need an air purifier?
If you are confused about whether you need an air purifier in your home or not, the answer is a 100% YES. We might feel that the outside is polluted, and we are not inhaling any contaminants while we are indoors.
But we could not be more wrong. Just like the air outside, the indoor air also has a high level of pollutants, sometimes even more as compared to the air outside.
According to research conducted by Cleveland Clinic, people with lung conditions like asthma and other respiratory issues can really benefit from improved indoor air quality. However, this is not the only benefit provided by air purifiers. Here are some more that you must know about-
- Reduction of allergy and asthma symptoms.
- Removal of unwanted and unpleasant odors.
- Better sleep quality.
- Reduction of harmful gases particles and volatile organic compounds.
- Reduction in airborne diseases.
- Increased life expectancy.
How much electricity does an air purifier use?
Typically, a standard air purifier consumes around 50W on average during its operation. But this quantity depends on a variety of factors and it is always recommended to go for energy-efficient air purifiers. These type of air purifiers also ensures that you save money on your electric bill.
HEPA filter is one type of filter that is becoming increasingly popular in air purifiers due to its capability to eliminate around 99.97% of harmful particles as small as 0.3 microns. Most HEPA air purifiers consume an average of 50 to 100W per hour.
If you use the air purifier for approximately 12 hours on a daily basis, the cost of electricity will be somewhere between $3 to $5 a month. This value goes up to $36 to $60 annually.
However, if you use the air purifier for 24 hours a day, you have to multiply these values by 2. The electricity cost might be cheaper at night since it will be off-peak hours.
As compared to most household appliances like air conditioners, water heaters, and other consumer appliances, air purifiers are present on the lower tier in terms of energy consumption.
And the size of the room you use the air purifier in can impact the power consumption quantity to a huge extent among other factors. Here is how.
Air purifier power consumption in case of large rooms.
The air purifiers used in large rooms spend the most amount of electricity. These rooms can easily cover an area of around 400 square feet, and there are some options that cover even larger areas.
Let us assume that you are using an air purifier for which the recommended coverage area is around 698 square feet and it has a high CADR rating of 450 like the BlueAir Classic 680i.
This device consumes 15W at the lowest fan speed and around 100W at the highest. The average value of electricity consumption is $0.1319kWh. So if you use this device for 24 hours even at the maximum fan speed, the cost generated will be $0.32 approximately per day.
While if you use it at the lowest fan settings, the electricity cost per day will be only $0.05 approximately.
Air purifier power consumption in case of medium-sized rooms.
Most air purifiers designed for mid-sized rooms can power an area of 200 square feet to 400 square feet. For calculation of electricity cost, let us take the example of the popular model Coway AP-1512H Mighty.
This one can cover an area of 361 square feet and the maximum power consumption is 77W.
Hence, in this scenario, it will cost you $0.24 per day if you use the purifier for 24 hours on the highest fan setting. That is only $7.20 per month.
Air purifier power consumption in case of small rooms.
If you have a small room, using an air purifier in such a space will be extremely inexpensive.
To get a better understanding of this scenario, let us consider Levoit LVH132 HEPA air purifier. The recommended coverage area of this one is 129 square feet and the maximum power consumption is 24W.
In this case, you only spend $0.08 per day. This value will be $0.56, $2.40, and $29.2 approximately on a weekly,-monthly, and yearly basis respectively.
Overall, it is well established that air purifiers consume a minimal amount of energy to operate and you hardly need to spend a significant amount of money.
Factors that affect electricity usage of an air purifier.
There are multiple factors that affect how much power your air purifier is going to consume. And it is necessary to know about them before making a purchase.
Coverage area.
This does not need much thought. as an air purifier designed for smaller spaces will, of course, consume less energy as compared to one designed for larger areas.
The air purifiers which cover large-sized rooms come with giant fans and also a HEPA purifier that guarantees higher energy consumption.
CADR rating and Energy Star Certification.
CADR or clean air delivery rate is important when choosing an air purifier. This value depicts the rate at which the unit delivers purified air.
The higher the CADR value, the more area it will cover and the faster it will work in cleaning polluted air. If you choose an appropriate air purifier according to the given size of a room and it has a high CADR as well as an Energy Star Certification, it means the device is energy-efficient too.
Operating conditions.
The amount of work an air purifier has to do depends on the environment it is used in. If you use an air purifier in an environment with high amounts of toxic airborne particles and contaminants, the unit has to do more work than in a typical environment. The harder the device works, the higher will be in the electricity usage.
Choice of fan speed.
Most air purifiers give a choice to the customers regarding fan speed and you get the option to select between low, medium, and high.
At the lowest fan speed, the machine does not have to move very fast. Hence the higher the fan speed, the more the electricity usage, and the higher its efficiency.
Choosing an energy-efficient air purifier- a solution to saving money on electricity bills.
After looking over all the factors and average costs, the best way to enjoy a clean environment while spending a reasonable amount on electricity bills is by choosing an energy-efficient air purifier.
Choose a device that is Energy Star Certified and has a minimum CADR rating of 50. There are many options available out there and the above factors will help you make an informed decision.
Conclusion.
Every air purifier is not made the same and while some might perform brilliantly, they might consume a lot of electricity.
On the other hand, some perform just as well but by using minimal power. Clean air is essential for maintaining optimal health and it is best to go for Energy Star Certified products if you are looking for a cost-effective option.
FAQs.
How to make sure your air purifier is operating at peak efficiency?
If you want to maintain your air purifier operating at peak efficiency, make sure you replace the filters whenever required and keep the unit clean as clogged filters can damage the motor and reduce energy efficiency.
How to choose an energy-efficient air purifier?
Look for an air purifier that is energy-star rated, is appropriate according to the room size, has a high CADR rate, and is operated at optimal operating conditions. This will help you save money on power bills.
Can you save electricity by unplugging the air purifier?
Yes, you can save electricity by unplugging the air purifier but you do not really need to do it. They are designed in such a way that you can run an air purifier 24/7 efficiently even if you are not at home. To save money, try eye and locking devices of other home appliances when they are not in use.