Nowadays, the average electricity cost might be hard to keep low with the array of electrical and smart devices we need to keep up and running 24/7.
With the constant worry that air pollution is making its way into our houses, you're bound to get an air purifier to manage indoor air pollution and make your indoor environment more habitable.
Air purifiers and air filters have become common household appliances in our modern world. Today, all air cleaners have become an essential appliance rather than just a fancy device that you can turn on and off whenever you please.
However, this implies that you'll also have to factor in your air purifier or air filter's power consumption. This might make electricity calculations a more arduous task, not to mention that you might already be worrying over your air purifier energy consumption.
If you're asking yourself, "does air purifier use a lot of energy?" worry not, as we've got the answer right here!
Does Air Purifier Use a Lot of Electricity? Short Answer
Generally speaking, a standard air purifier's electricity consumption only amounts to 50 to 100 watts per hour. Comparatively, a refrigerator uses between 250 to 400 watts per hour, and HVAC units consume from 600 to 1000 watts per hour.
These numbers indicate that air purifiers use an average amount of electricity when compared to other appliances. In addition to that, not all people run them 24/7, so even air purifiers' electricity costs will change depending on how much you use them.
However, that's not the only factor to take into account when considering how much electricity an air purifier uses. Depending on how large your unit is, how large your house is, and the watt rating, the cost of electricity will change. Keep on reading to know more.
Things to Consider When Measuring a Purifier's Energy Consumption
1. Watt Rating
As mentioned earlier, the electricity consumption for air purifiers ranges between 50 to 100; however, if you're shopping for a new unit, always make sure to check its watt rating. If you can't find it, you can simply ask the salesperson to tell you the unit's watt rating and ensure that it interests you.
As you may have already deduced, this rating indicates the unit's electricity usage, which will ultimately help you calculate your average electricity bills or the annual costs of this unit before actually purchasing it.
2. Size of the Room
This aspect is crucial, as it can lower the energy costs quite considerably. If the unit you buy corresponds to the room's size, then your energy usage won't go above the watt rating the unit promises.
If the unit's capacity doesn't correspond to the size of your room, you'll keep your air purifier on until the polluted air in your room is completely purified, which will take a lot of time and will keep the unit running for a longer time.
It'll also put a strain on the purifier, forcing it to run at its highest setting. Doing this will make your energy bills skyrocket.
3. Energy Star Rating
There's an array of air purifiers on the market. Air purifiers vary depending on the technology used for their manufacturing and the filter types used. For example, air purifiers with HEPA filters are the most efficient type of filters out there, seeing that the HEPA filters trap almost all particles larger than 0.3 microns.
However, if air purifiers don't have an energy star rating, they'll probably consume a considerable amount of energy. Make sure to look for the best energy-efficient air purifier to minimize energy consumption as much as possible.
How to Calculate an Air Purifier's Energy Consumption
First things first, look for the most recent electric bill. After that, take a look at the number of kilowatt-hours there. This number indicates how many watts of power you use in one hour. Next, you'll need to know how much you're being charged per kilowatt.
One way to go about this is to divide the total bill by the number of kilowatts used this month. The number you get indicates the actual cost of power (in cents) per kilowatt-hour plus the transmission costs.
Now that you've calculated this, you can calculate your air purifier's energy consumption easily. For instance, if you're using an air purifier with a watt rating of 120 watts and is used 24/7, it would consume 0.120 kilowatts per hour or 86.4 kilowatts per month.
Using the method mentioned above, you can calculate how much your air purifier will add to your energy bill. Let's say that your electricity costs around 15 cents per kilowatt-hour, that means that it'll add $12.9 a month.
You can also find online calculators to do these calculations for you.
FAQs
Is It Bad to Run an Air Purifier All the Time?
It's not wrong to run an air purifier all the time, especially if indoor pollution levels in your house are high. If you're concerned about your energy bills, you can get an energy-efficient unit or turn the fan speed to a low setting.
Are Air Purifiers Cheap to Run?
Assuming that you got a unit of the right size and capacity, your air purifier shouldn't add much to your monthly energy bill. However, make sure that you're maintaining your unit regularly so it can operate well and not consume a lot of energy.
Should I Leave My Air Purifier on All Night?
In case you suffer from allergic reactions or suffer from sleep apnea, you can turn it on at night and turn the fans at their lowest setting.
Bottom Line
Now that you know how an air purifier affects electricity bills, it shouldn't be hard to pick the unit to suit your needs and not consume a lot of energy.
Be sure to keep track of your energy consumption every month to understand which appliance is consuming energy the most. This will help you minimize your energy bills accordingly.
