Cost to Install A Whole House Air Purifier

Thinking about installing an air purifier in your home? You’re probably wondering how much to budget and whether or not an air purifier is worth it.

The cost to install a whole-home air purifier in Tucson runs anywhere from $749 to $1,649.

We’ll cover each cost factor in more detail.

The biggest factor in your air purifier installation cost will be the type of air purifier you choose.

You can learn more about air purifier types and choose the best one for your home in our blog, “What Is An Air Purifier? A Tucson Tech Explains.”

Starting price: $600

How they work: Activated carbon purifiers are installed in place of regular air filters in your HVAC system. The filter removes pollutants from the air through absorption, where contaminants stick to activated carbon (also called activated charcoal) packs inside the filter. Carbon filters can effectively remove odors and larger particles but need to be paired with a HEPA filter to capture ultrafine allergens and pollutants.

Best for purifying: Strong odors and allergens like:

• Pet dander

• Dust

• Pollen

Maintenance cost: Replacement filters cost $30–$40 and should be changed every 3–6 months.

Starting price: $800

How they work: Also called electrostatic air purifiers, ionic air purifiers don’t use a filter to capture pollutants. Instead, they electrically charge ions and send them into the surrounding air. Pollutants bond with the electrically charged ions as they pass through the purifier, turning them into larger particles too heavy to stay in the air. These weighed-down pollutants simply fall to a collection plate instead of staying airborne. If they’re not cleaned from the plate every few months, the pollutants can be reintroduced into the air. Ionic air purifiers need to be paired with a HEPA filter to remove VOCs (volatile organic compounds), such as gasses emitted from solids or liquids (for example, paints, varnishes, cleaning products, etc.).

Best for purifying: Allergens like:

• Pet dander

• Dust

• Pollen

Maintenance cost: Ionic air purifiers have minimal maintenance costs since they don’t use filters, but you should wash the collection plate every 3–6 months.

Starting price: $900

How they work: A UV (ultraviolet) air purifier uses UV-C light, short-wavelength light strong enough for disinfection to kill airborne bacteria and organisms. Since technicians install UV lights inside air handlers, the purifiers keep your (often damp) HVAC system free of mold. While the UV-C light prevents the pollutants from reproducing and makes them harmless, UV air purifiers don’t actually remove the pollutants from your home. They need to be paired with an air purifier that uses a filter—like a HEPA or activated carbon filter—to capture the contaminants.

Best for purifying:

• Allergens (dust, pollen, and pet dander)

• Mold

• Smoke

• Viruses and bacteria

Maintenance cost: Replacement UV lights cost $20–$70 and should be changed annually.

Starting price: $1,500

How they work: HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters capture particles using interlaced plastic or fiberglass fibers that create a web-like maze. Contaminants stick to the fibers as they pass through the filter. HEPA filters are so effective at removing 99.97% of microscopic matter that many hospitals and laboratories use them.

Best for purifying: Ultrafine particles like:

• Allergens (dust, pollen, and pet dander)

• Mold

• Smoke

• Viruses and bacteria

Maintenance cost: Replacement filters cost $25–$100 and should be changed every 6–12 months.

Your installation cost will increase if you need to make any HVAC or electrical modifications to accommodate the air purification system.

This can include:

• HVAC modification: Your HVAC system may need modification to properly house the whole-house air purifier system.

• Ductwork improvements: Whole-home air purifiers require good ductwork. Without pristine ducts, they cannot effectively circulate purified air throughout your home. If your ducts have any signs of damage (e.g., disconnected joints, holes, etc.), they’ll need duct sealing or replacement. Hiring Advantage Air Mechanical means a two-for-one solution, as we’re one of Tucson’s premier custom ductwork fabrication companies. Even other HVAC companies turn to our in-house metal shop for their ductwork needs.

• Electrical upgrades: You may need to install an additional outlet or upgrade your electrical panel to accommodate the air purifier.

A good contractor will let you know whether you need any modifications to install an air purifier.

You’ll pay more to have better-quality contractors install your air purifier.

Better quality contractors charge more for their service because they:

• Are licensed, bonded, and insured. This ensures the contractor can legally install air purifiers in Arizona and that you’re covered in case anything goes wrong on the job.

• Have experience installing air purifiers. For whole-house air purifiers, you especially want to make sure they’re properly installed to effectively remove pollutants from your home and make sure you don’t run into any issues down the road.

• Give written, upfront estimates. Upfront estimates show the contractor is honest about pricing and that you won’t be surprised by any hidden fees or charges when paying the bill.

Have good customer reviews. Many 5-star reviews from previous customers mean you’ll have a good experience choosing this contractor to install your air purifier.