🏠 Household
How Much Does a Air Purifier Cost to Run?
At the current U.S. average rate of 18.4¢/kWh (May 2026), a air purifier costs about $5.37 per month at typical usage — 24 hours/day (always on).
Per hour
0.7¢
at 20–100 W
Per day
$0.18
24 hours/day (always on)
Per month
$5.37
29 kWh
Per year
$64.47
350 kWh
HEPA purifiers draw 20–60 watts on medium and run around the clock during allergy or smoke season, making runtime the whole cost story. An Energy Star model on auto mode typically costs a couple of dollars a month.
Calculate it for your home
Per hour
0.7¢
Per day
$0.18
Per month
$5.37
Per year
$64.47
Uses 29 kWh/month at 18.4¢ per kWh.
Cheapest and most expensive states
Monthly cost at typical usage, using each state's current average residential rate.
Cost in every state
| State | Rate (¢/kWh) | Per hour | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 12.4 | 0.5¢ | $3.62 | $43.45 |
| Utah | 13.0 | 0.5¢ | $3.79 | $45.55 |
| Oklahoma | 13.4 | 0.5¢ | $3.91 | $46.95 |
| Nebraska | 13.6 | 0.5¢ | $3.97 | $47.65 |
| Nevada | 13.6 | 0.5¢ | $3.97 | $47.65 |
| North Dakota | 13.6 | 0.5¢ | $3.97 | $47.65 |
| Missouri | 13.7 | 0.5¢ | $4.00 | $48.00 |
| Iowa | 14.1 | 0.6¢ | $4.11 | $49.41 |
| New Mexico | 14.1 | 0.6¢ | $4.11 | $49.41 |
| Louisiana | 14.2 | 0.6¢ | $4.14 | $49.76 |
| Arkansas | 14.4 | 0.6¢ | $4.20 | $50.46 |
| Tennessee | 14.5 | 0.6¢ | $4.23 | $50.81 |
| Montana | 14.7 | 0.6¢ | $4.29 | $51.51 |
| Wyoming | 14.8 | 0.6¢ | $4.32 | $51.86 |
| Kentucky | 15.0 | 0.6¢ | $4.38 | $52.56 |
| Washington | 15.0 | 0.6¢ | $4.38 | $52.56 |
| Kansas | 15.1 | 0.6¢ | $4.41 | $52.91 |
| North Carolina | 15.1 | 0.6¢ | $4.41 | $52.91 |
| Arizona | 15.2 | 0.6¢ | $4.44 | $53.26 |
| Florida | 15.2 | 0.6¢ | $4.44 | $53.26 |
| South Dakota | 15.7 | 0.6¢ | $4.58 | $55.01 |
| Georgia | 15.8 | 0.6¢ | $4.61 | $55.36 |
| Colorado | 16.2 | 0.6¢ | $4.73 | $56.76 |
| Mississippi | 16.2 | 0.6¢ | $4.73 | $56.76 |
| South Carolina | 16.2 | 0.6¢ | $4.73 | $56.76 |
| Oregon | 16.3 | 0.7¢ | $4.76 | $57.12 |
| Texas | 16.4 | 0.7¢ | $4.79 | $57.47 |
| Alabama | 16.8 | 0.7¢ | $4.90 | $58.87 |
| West Virginia | 16.8 | 0.7¢ | $4.90 | $58.87 |
| Minnesota | 17.0 | 0.7¢ | $4.96 | $59.57 |
| Virginia | 17.6 | 0.7¢ | $5.14 | $61.67 |
| Indiana | 18.2 | 0.7¢ | $5.31 | $63.77 |
| Delaware | 19.4 | 0.8¢ | $5.66 | $67.98 |
| Ohio | 19.5 | 0.8¢ | $5.69 | $68.33 |
| Wisconsin | 19.7 | 0.8¢ | $5.75 | $69.03 |
| Pennsylvania | 21.6 | 0.9¢ | $6.30 | $75.69 |
| Maryland | 21.8 | 0.9¢ | $6.36 | $76.39 |
| Michigan | 22.0 | 0.9¢ | $6.42 | $77.09 |
| New Jersey | 23.3 | 0.9¢ | $6.80 | $81.64 |
| Illinois | 23.9 | 1.0¢ | $6.97 | $83.75 |
| Vermont | 24.9 | 1.0¢ | $7.27 | $87.25 |
| Washington, D.C. | 25.4 | 1.0¢ | $7.41 | $89.00 |
| New Hampshire | 27.3 | 1.1¢ | $7.97 | $95.66 |
| Connecticut | 27.4 | 1.1¢ | $8.00 | $96.01 |
| Alaska | 28.2 | 1.1¢ | $8.23 | $98.81 |
| Maine | 28.6 | 1.1¢ | $8.35 | $100 |
| Massachusetts | 28.8 | 1.2¢ | $8.40 | $101 |
| Rhode Island | 29.5 | 1.2¢ | $8.61 | $103 |
| New York | 29.9 | 1.2¢ | $8.73 | $105 |
| California | 33.3 | 1.3¢ | $9.72 | $117 |
| Hawaii | 52.0 | 2.1¢ | $15.18 | $182 |
How to lower the cost
- Auto mode with an air-quality sensor cuts runtime dramatically versus always-on high.
- Replace filters on schedule — a loaded filter forces higher fan speeds for the same clean air.
- Size the purifier to the room; an oversized unit on low beats a small one screaming on high.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does a air purifier use?
A typical air purifier draws about 40 watts in use. At 24 hours/day (always on), that works out to roughly 1.0 kWh per day, or 29 kWh per month.
How much does it cost to run a air purifier for 1 hour?
At the current U.S. average residential rate of 18.4¢/kWh, one hour costs about 0.7¢. In Idaho (12.4¢/kWh) it's 0.5¢, while in Hawaii (52¢/kWh) it's 2.1¢.
How much does a air purifier cost to run per month?
With typical usage (24 hours/day (always on)), expect about $5.37 per month at the U.S. average rate — from $3.62 in Idaho up to $15.18 in Hawaii. Rates are as of May 2026.
Does a air purifier use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: roughly 3% of an average U.S. home's monthly consumption at typical usage. Noticeable, but not a bill-driver on its own.