Air Purifiers / California
Cost to run a air purifier in California
A typical ENERGY STAR air purifier costs about $49.74 a year to run in California, or $4.15 a month, at the state’s average residential price of 33.61 cents per kWh (July 2026).
- Typical yearly cost
- $49.74
- Over ten years
- $497 today’s price
- Price in California
- 33.61 ¢/kWh
“Typical” means the median annual energy use of 237 current ENERGY STAR certified air purifiers (148 kWh a year), multiplied by the price. It is a standardized figure, not a measurement of your home.
By type of air purifier
| Type | Models | Median kWh/yr | Cost per year | Per month | Range per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fan and Filter | 227 | 148 | $49.74 | $4.15 | $10.08 to $164.69 |
| Fan and Filter,Ion Generator | 4 | 138 | $46.38 | $3.87 | $36.30 to $86.71 |
| Ion Generator,Fan and Filter | 3 | 103 | $34.72 | $2.89 | $14.68 to $117.64 |
| Fan and Filter, PlasmaWave | 1 | 259 | $87.05 | $7.25 | $87.05 to $87.05 |
| Fan and Filter, UV Light | 1 | 325 | $109.23 | $9.10 | $109.23 to $109.23 |
| Fan with Electrostatic Plates | 1 | 55 | $18.49 | $1.54 | $18.49 to $18.49 |
Costs use each type’s median listing; the range runs from its lowest to its highest listed energy use. Source: ENERGY STAR certified air purifiers dataset (EPA) and EIA residential prices.
How California compares
California’s average residential price is 109% above the median US state, ranking 2 of 51 from highest to lowest. The same typical air purifier would cost $18.83 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $71.04 in Hawaii, the most expensive. Over the last 12 months California’s price rose 2.9%.
Cost to run a air purifier in every state · California electricity price history · Replacing an old air purifier? Savings calculator
Lowest running cost by type
The published model with the lowest listed annual energy use in each type, with its cost at California’s price:
- Blueair 4612522000 (fan and filter): 30 kWh a year, about $10.08 in California
- Winix T810 (fan and filter, plasmawave): 259 kWh a year, about $87.05 in California
- CUCKOO CAC-K1910FW (fan and filter, uv light): 325 kWh a year, about $109.23 in California
- Blueair 3232111101 (fan and filter,ion generator): 108 kWh a year, about $36.30 in California
- Ionic Pro TA750 (fan with electrostatic plates): 55 kWh a year, about $18.49 in California
These are the lowest among the models published on this site, not among every certified model. Browse all air purifiers by energy use.
Questions
How much does it cost to run a air purifier in California?
A typical ENERGY STAR air purifier (the median of 237 current listings, 148 kWh a year) costs about $49.74 a year, or $4.15 a month, at California's average residential price of 33.61 cents per kWh. By type it ranges from $18.49 (fan with electrostatic plates) to $109.23 (fan and filter, uv light).
Is electricity expensive in California?
California's average residential price is 33.61 cents per kWh (July 2026, EIA), 109% above the median state and 2 of 51 when states are ranked from highest to lowest price. The same typical air purifier would cost $18.83 a year in Louisiana, the cheapest state, and $71.04 in Hawaii.
Will my air purifier cost the same?
Probably not exactly. The annual figure is a standardized ENERGY STAR value, and your own price per kWh may differ from the statewide average. Enter your rate in the calculator on any air purifier page for a closer number.