How much does it cost to run an air purifier?
An air purifier costs about 0.7¢ per hour, 17¢ a day, $5.26 a month and $63 a year at typical use (24 hours a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Room air purifiers draw about 10-60 W and are usually run 24/7, so a non-ENERGY STAR unit can use 300-500 kWh a year.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per hour | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sleep / low | 10 | 0.2¢ | 4.3¢ | $1.31 | $16 |
| Medium | 25 | 0.4¢ | 11¢ | $3.29 | $39 |
| High | 40 | 0.7¢ | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
At 24 hours a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost by hours of use
| Hours per day | kWh/day | Per day | Per month | Per year (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 hour | 0.06 | 1.1¢ | $0.34 | $4 |
| 2 hours | 0.10 | 1.8¢ | $0.56 | $7 |
| 4 hours | 0.18 | 3.2¢ | $0.99 | $12 |
| 8 hours | 0.34 | 6.0¢ | $1.84 | $22 |
| 12 hours | 0.49 | 8.9¢ | $2.69 | $32 |
| 24 hours | 0.96 | 17¢ | $5.26 | $63 |
Cost to run an air purifier in every state
The same air purifier costs $43 a year in North Dakota and $153 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.60 | $43 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.70 | $44 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.76 | $45 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.80 | $46 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.89 | $47 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.90 | $47 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.92 | $47 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | 0.5¢ | $3.96 | $48 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | 0.5¢ | $4.00 | $48 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.04 | $49 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.07 | $49 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.08 | $49 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.09 | $49 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.13 | $50 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.13 | $50 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.15 | $50 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.32 | $52 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.32 | $52 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.41 | $53 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.42 | $53 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.48 | $54 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.50 | $54 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.50 | $54 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.52 | $54 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.53 | $54 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.57 | $55 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.66 | $56 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | 0.6¢ | $4.74 | $57 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.80 | $58 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.82 | $58 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.84 | $58 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | 0.7¢ | $4.95 | $59 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.20 | $62 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.33 | $64 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | 0.7¢ | $5.48 | $66 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | 0.8¢ | $5.49 | $66 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | 0.8¢ | $6.05 | $73 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | 0.8¢ | $6.14 | $74 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | 0.8¢ | $6.15 | $74 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | 1.0¢ | $6.95 | $83 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | 1.0¢ | $6.95 | $83 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | 1.0¢ | $7.07 | $85 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.79 | $94 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | 1.1¢ | $7.85 | $94 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.18 | $98 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | 1.1¢ | $8.30 | $100 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.55 | $103 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.56 | $103 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | 1.2¢ | $8.89 | $107 |
| California | 32.99¢ | 1.3¢ | $9.64 | $116 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | 1.7¢ | $12.71 | $153 |
Most efficient air purifier models
The lowest-energy ENERGY STAR certified models in the most common size (208–282 sq ft), out of 236 certified models. In this class, the best model costs $16 a year to run. The least efficient costs $30. Same size, $14 a year apart.
| Brand | Model | Room size | kWh/yr | Cost/yr | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MegaLight | AP-HCE99-WT Most Efficient | 211 | 89 | $16 | Amazon |
| AROEVE | DH-JH021US-A00 Most Efficient | 214 | 101 | $18 | Amazon |
| Blueair | 3132111100 Most Efficient | 237 | 103 | $19 | Amazon |
| Blueair | 3232111101 | 228 | 108 | $19 | Amazon |
| Aeocky | LunaPure-EJH001 Most Efficient | 212 | 109 | $20 | Amazon |
| Blueair | 3232111100 | 225 | 110 | $20 | Amazon |
| Blueair | 4512311000 Most Efficient | 250 | 110 | $20 | Amazon |
| Atmosphere MINI | 124746** | 211 | 122 | $22 | Amazon |
| Bosch | Air 4000 | 242 | 124 | $22 | Amazon |
| CUCKOO | CAC-AB0610FI | 231 | 126 | $23 | Amazon |
Yearly cost from the official annual energy use and 17.99¢/kWh. Look up any model in the calculator with “Look up my exact model”. Source: ENERGY STAR, updated 2026-10-21. Amazon links search for the exact model; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
How to cut the cost
- Use Auto mode with the air-quality sensor so it runs on low most of the time.
- Run it at night on sleep mode (often 3-10 W).
- Replace or vacuum pre-filters every month; a clogged filter makes the fan work harder for less clean air.
- Size it right: CADR should be about two-thirds of the room's square footage.
- Choose an ENERGY STAR model; they are about 25% more efficient.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
Delivers more clean air per watt.
See options on AmazonA DIY box-fan filter is a low-cost option for occasional smoke events.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air purifier | 40 | 24 hours a day | $5.26 | $63 |
| Large room HEPA air purifier | 70 | 24 hours a day | $9.20 | $110 |
| Dehumidifier | 500 | 24 hours a day for 6 months a year | $26.28 | $158 |
| Humidifier | 30 | 10 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.72 | $9 |
| Box fan | 75 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $3.29 | $16 |
| Bladeless fan | 40 | 8 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.84 | $9 |
| Ceiling fan | 40 | 8 hours a day | $1.84 | $22 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run an air purifier per hour?
An air purifier drawing 40 watts uses 0.04 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 0.7¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 0.5¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 1.7¢.
How much does it cost to run an air purifier per month?
At typical use (24 hours a day), an air purifier costs about $5.26 a month and $63 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does an air purifier use?
Most air purifiers use 10 to 120 watts, depending on the setting (sleep / low 10 W, medium 25 W, high 40 W). Plugged in but off, it still draws about 1 W of standby power. Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does an air purifier use?
About 0.96 kWh a day and 351 kWh a year at typical use (24 hours a day).
Does an air purifier use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 351 kWh a year is about 3% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run an air purifier or a large room HEPA air purifier?
At typical use, an air purifier costs about $63 a year versus $110 for a large room HEPA air purifier. So the air purifier is cheaper by about $47 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running an air purifier?
- Use Auto mode with the air-quality sensor so it runs on low most of the time.
- Run it at night on sleep mode (often 3-10 W).
- Replace or vacuum pre-filters every month; a clogged filter makes the fan work harder for less clean air.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.