Many people feel that running an air purifier continuously will cause their energy bill to skyrocket. In practice, this is not the case. Below, you can calculate step-by-step how much electricity an air purifier costs per year, with a realistic range for different usage patterns.
Starting points for the calculation
To calculate the annual costs, you need two pieces of information: the power consumption of the device in watts and the current electricity price per kWh. The average all-in electricity price for consumers in the Netherlands was around 0.30 euros per kWh in September 2026, but this varies per energy supplier and contract type (fixed or dynamic). For your own situation, it is best to use the price listed on your own energy bill.
As an example, we use the AirPure Plus PA244, with a maximum power consumption of 45 watts.
Scenario 1: continuous at full power
- Consumption per day: 45 watts x 24 hours / 1,000 = 1.08 kWh
- Consumption per year: 1.08 kWh x 365 days = approximately 394 kWh
- Annual costs: 394 kWh x 0.30 euros = approximately 118 euros
This is the maximum, and in practice, almost no one runs an air purifier on the highest setting day and night.
Scenario 2: automatic mode, average usage
Most users set their air purifier to automatic mode, where the device runs at a low speed for most of the time (often 10 to 15 watts) and only briefly ramps up when, for example, cooking or vacuuming. If you calculate with an average power consumption of 12 watts over 24 hours a day, you arrive at:
- Consumption per day: 12 watts x 24 hours / 1,000 = 0.29 kWh
- Consumption per year: 0.29 kWh x 365 days = approximately 105 kWh
- Annual costs: approximately 31 euros
Scenario 3: at night only, lowest setting
If you only use the air purifier while sleeping, for example eight hours per night at the lowest setting of around 15 watts, the costs are even lower:
- Consumption per day: 15 watts x 8 hours / 1,000 = 0.12 kWh
- Consumption per year: approximately 44 kWh
- Annual costs: approximately 13 euros
What does this mean for your choice?
For most households, the annual costs of an air purifier will be somewhere between 15 and 40 euros, depending on how many hours per day and on which setting the device runs. That is significantly less than, for example, an electric heater or an air conditioner, because an air purifier does not need to produce heat or cold and only powers a fan motor.
In addition to electricity costs, replacement filters also play a role in the total annual costs. For a HEPA13 replacement filter, expect to replace it every six to twelve months, depending on usage intensity and the air quality in your home.
Do you want to calculate the annual costs of your own device? Look at the rating plate or the specifications for the power consumption in watts, and use the calculation above with the electricity price of your own energy contract. Looking for an air purifier that is energy-efficient yet powerful enough for a room up to 55 m2? Take a look at the AirPure Plus PA244.