Air purifier maintenance costs

If you're on a tight budget, the upfront cost of your air purifier is important, but don't assume you'll be done paying for it after you've installed it in your home. You will need to replace the filters regularly.

The cost of replacing a filter varies depending on the machine: Some have pricey filters that last for years, while others have inexpensive filters that must be changed frequently. Furthermore, while some of the prefilters can be washed, the HEPA filters themselves are disposable and must be replaced fully.

Before purchasing an air purifier, calculate the cost of maintenance each year and compare it to the cost of any other air-purification device you are considering.