Have you noticed that your light bill is slightly higher since you started using the Xiaomi air purifier? Of course, this increment might not hit you hard at first, but subsequently, it will. At that point, you can’t help but wonder just how much electricity your air cleaning device is consuming.
The Xiaomi air purifier consumes only 4.8W of electricity which is less than a standard low consumption bulb. Moreover, to reduce cost, you can turn off this device whenever you’re stepping out and turn it back on when you return. Therefore, the Xiaomi MI is one of the most cost-effective options that won’t put much weight on your electrical bill.
Despite this, several brands are out there, each with a varying power consumption level. This post delves into air cleaners and how they affect your light bill.
How Much Electricity Do Air Purifiers Use?
Air purifiers are technological inventions that are beneficial to many individuals. Its ability to rid the air of harmful and contagious particles is simply intelligent! This provides a healthy atmosphere and a better indoor lifestyle.
However, like most new devices, purifiers run on electricity. As much as you don’t want to think about it, they will affect your light bill. The amount it accumulates depends on how long it runs.
Typically, air-cleaning devices have a maximum wattage between 30W and 200W hourly. Some models even go lower, consuming less power. So, if your purifier model utilizes more energy, it’ll consume more electricity.
Additionally, if it runs for the whole day, it consumes more than running for a few hours. Nonetheless, you don’t have to worry. Even if they run for a long time, their cost is not as overwhelming as you might think.
What Does It Cost to Run an Air Purifier?
Different purifying models are evaluated based on their size and coverage area. So, while you’re selecting purifiers with a good CADR rating, also check the wattage. Many manufacturers will include this in the device’s package.
The higher the watt, the more electricity the purifier will consume and vice versa. If you want a device that won’t cost you much, go for purifiers like the Xiaomi MI.
Calculating the amount of electricity a device would consume is a straightforward process. For instance, if you purchase a purifier that’s rated 140 watts, it means the device uses 0.140kW hourly. That means that it consumes 3.36kW daily and 100.8kW in 30 days.
If your power-supplying company bills 14 cents per kilowatt, you’ll be paying $14.11 monthly.
The example above is just an estimation, and the rate could be higher or lower. So, to calculate, convert watt to a kilowatt and find out the monthly consumption. Afterwards, multiply it by your supplier’s charge per kilowatt.
Factors That Affect the Power Consumption of an Air Purifier
Certain air purifiers are more potent than others in terms of design and how much space they can purify. Some of these might not be cost-effective, but this depends on different factors.
The following factors contribute to an air purifier’s power usage:
The Energy Rating
As mentioned earlier, a purifying device’s energy rating (in watts) determines how much electricity it’ll consume. If a device is energy efficient, it will use little power and remain functional. On the other hand, some might have high energy ratings and still be less active than their counterparts.
Filter Type
Different manufacturers use various filters in the production of their air-cleaning devices. The energy these filters use to operate has a significant effect on the consumption of the air cleaner.
For instance, HEPA filters devices will have to run at high speeds and use more energy. This is the only way the fans can force air into the filters.
Dimensions of the Fan
Typically, the larger the unit, the larger the fan will be, and the more electricity will be necessary to power the fan. A big fan will always require more energy to operate efficiently, which will add significantly to your electricity expenses.
The Coverage Area of the Room
You wouldn’t expect an air purifier built for use in small settings to consume the same as one for broader spaces. Air purifiers for large rooms come with massive fans and possibly a HEPA filter, consuming more energy.
UV Lights
These lights are integrated into a unit to sterilize the air that travels through it in addition to filters. However, this double protection comes at an additional expense in the form of increased wattage consumption per kilowatt-hour. The amount of energy it uses also depends on the length of ultraviolet light use.
Running Velocity
Each air purifier has different buttons for adjusting the fan speed between low, medium, and high. The difference in this mode’s functioning is the pace at which the fan rolls.
In other words, if you set it at low speeds, the fans roll slowly. So if the fans are moving that slow, it consumes less energy than the faster mode. However, it’s more efficient at its maximum setting though it consumes more power.
Inadequate Environmental Conditions
When using air purifiers in very polluted conditions, they must work harder to satisfy the minimum air cleaning rate expectation. In other words, the fan has to run faster. As a result, additional energy is consumed.
How to Choose an Energy-efficient Purifier
Now you know what to expect with air cleaners electrical consumption. With that, you should opt for an air purifying device that lets you enjoy a clean environment without spiking your bills. The best kind of air cleaners that meet these standards are energy certified.
The energy star program aims to select cost-effective devices. Such devices must have gone through testing and proven they’re the most appropriate for customer selection.
Every certified purifier is functional and energy-effective, saving up to 225kW yearly. This is a significant contrast compared to the standard 550kW usage. Despite this, they’re environmentally friendly and work like standard purifiers.
Aside from this rating, it’s best to look out for other specifications. For example, auto/sleep mode will assist in managing power consumption. Certain models even include an Eco-mode that turns off the motor fan when it’s not in use.
Furthermore, choose the appropriate air purifier for the room’s size. An air purifier that falls short of the coverage requirement would take an eternity and operate. Even worse, it would also have to work at a higher speed to cover an entire room.
Additionally, keep your windows closed while the air purifier is operating to keep external pollutants out. Don’t forget to replace filters as they become worn.
Also, bear in mind that even an inexpensive and effective air purifier doesn’t have to operate at MAX speed all of the time. So the less airflow there is, the less energy it consumes.
Other Air Purifiers That Are Energy Efficient
Below are energy-efficient options you can use in your home or office:
Blueair Classic 205 Air Purifier
The Blueair system purifies spaces from 280 to 775 square feet. Furthermore, the revolutionary HEPASilent technology catches 99.97% of airborne contaminants and efficiently combats hay fever and asthma allergens.
The Blueair can catch allergens as little as 0.1 microns and as large as 100 microns. It also traps small viruses in its electrified, fibrous filtration system.
The Blueair 205 is a small unit perfect for apartments, offices, children’s rooms, and small bedrooms. With three varying fan speeds, you can customize the amount of force the Blueair filter uses to operate.
Most importantly, the purifier is one of the most energy-efficient filtration systems available. It uses sophisticated filter media that’s less tightly packed than standard filters. The system uses less air pressure, allowing it to run continuously and quietly throughout the day.
Medify Medical-Grade Purifier
The Medify H13 filter is built with medical-grade components and eliminates more than 99.97% airborne particulates. Using the technology removes pollen and dust from a 1,300 square foot area in less than an hour.
Particles in the air are regularly monitored by this Energy Star certified product’s built-in, visible air quality meter. Medify has also been independently certified by several organizations dedicated to safeguarding the health of its customers. In addition to CARB and ETL certifications, the product has also been awarded the California Energy Star.
You can even turn off the ionizer on the units to save even more money monthly. It’s best suited for areas with a higher ceiling, like living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and shared workspaces. This safe air purifier is even suitable for small children’s rooms because it has a child lock.
Alen Breathesmart Flex Air Purifier
Its HEPA filters can collect pollutants as small as 0.3 microns and last three to five months longer than standard filters. You may even choose between two typical filter types; one that removes common allergies and another that focuses on the smallest germs in the air.
Using the BreatheSmart at its lowest level, you’ll pay less than 50 cents a month for electricity. In Turbo mode, it consumes only 36 Watts of power.
The cleaning also has a sleep mode that reduces the noise level to a more comfortable one. Even at its loudest setting, the BreatheSmart merely makes a sound.