Air purifier running costs
The real reason most air purifiers fail isn't filtration — it's running cost. People switch them off to save money, and then breathe unfiltered air. Here's the maths.
Watts to pounds
Running cost is just power draw times hours times your electricity rate. A Luggable draws about 15 watts on its normal setting. Run continuously, that's roughly 130 kWh a year — a few pounds at typical UK rates, in the region of £2. Like leaving an LED bulb on.
Why conventional purifiers cost so much more
Most HEPA purifiers draw 50–150 watts to force air through a dense filter. Run around the clock, that's £50–£80 a year or more — enough that people turn them down or off. And a purifier that's off cleans nothing. Low running cost isn't a nice-to-have; it's what makes always-on possible.
Don't forget filters
Filters are the other running cost. Genuine 3M Filtrete MERV-13 filters last 6–12 months in normal use (sooner after heavy smoke). and replacements are stocked in the UK.
The value of always-on
Because the electricity and filter costs are low, you can leave a Luggable running continuously — which is exactly what keeps a room's air consistently clean, rather than cleaning it in bursts.
Common questions
How much does an air purifier cost to run per year?
A low-energy Luggable at about 15 watts costs roughly £2 a year to run continuously at UK electricity rates. Conventional HEPA purifiers drawing 50–150 watts can cost £50–£80 a year or more.
Should I turn my air purifier off to save money?
With a low-energy unit there's little to save — running it costs only a couple of pounds a year — and switching it off stops it cleaning entirely. Continuous running is what keeps the air clean, so leaving it on is both cheap and more effective.