How Much Does a Whole‑House Air Purifier Cost in Michigan?

Considering an air purifier for your home? If so, you’re probably wondering how much it will cost to install one.

In Michigan, the cost to install a whole-house air purifier ranges from $700 to $3,500, depending on two main factors:

• The type of air purifier you choose
• Installation considerations specific to your home

We’ll look at each of these cost factors in more detail to give you a better idea of what you could pay for your air purifier installation.

Want a quote to install an air purifier in your home? Call Thornton & Grooms today. Our air quality experts can help you choose the right whole-home purifier and give you upfront pricing on the cost to install it.

The first thing that will determine the overall cost of the installation is the type of air purifier you choose. Below we’ll share the 4 most common types of air purifiers, along with their average starting prices.

Electrostatic air cleaner (starts at $600)

An electrostatic air cleaner is a filter that uses static electricity to charge airborne particles that pass through it. As these particles become charged, they stick to the filter, which prevents them from circulating throughout your home’s air.

Electrostatic air cleaners are installed near the return vent of your home’s forced air system, and are especially good at removing particles such as dust, pet dander and hair from the air.

Ionic air purifier (starts at $900)

An ionic air purifier takes a proactive approach to removing pollutants from the air. Instead of waiting for pollutants to pass through it (like a filter), an ionic system regularly sends out negatively-charged ions into the air surrounding the device.

These negative ions bond with positively-charged particles in the air, which weighs down the particles, causing them to fall onto a collection plate. The weighed-down particles remain on the collection plate until the plate is cleaned.

Whole-home ionic air purifiers are often installed in the blower assembly of a forced air system, and are especially effective at removing biological matter, including:

• Bacteria
• Mold
• Pollen
• Viruses

UV light (starts at $700)

As its name suggests, an ultraviolet (UV) light uses powerful UV rays to neutralize air pollutants that pass over the lamp. UV lights are especially effective at reducing odors and preventing mold growth.

Whole-home UV lights are often installed near the evaporator coil, which is the part of an air conditioner that directly cools the air. During the summer, the evaporator coil is covered in condensation, which makes it a natural breeding ground for mold growth. If mold starts to grow on the evaporator coil, the air that blows over the coil can pick up mold spores and carry them into the home. To prevent this issue, many air quality specialists recommend installing a UV light near the evaporator coil to stop mold from forming in the first place.

HEPA air filter (starts at $1,200)

A HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter is an advanced mechanical filter that is highly effective at removing microscopic particulate matter and gases. In fact, because it is so effective, HEPA air filters are often used in hospitals and laboratories.

Because HEPA air filters are generally much thicker than standard air filters, a technician may need to make modifications to your HVAC system in order to accommodate the filter.

Note: We install all of the air purifiers listed above. For more information about each type of air purifier, visit our indoor air quality page.

How to choose the right purifier for your home

An air quality expert will help you determine which type of air purifier is best for your home, based on the following factors:

• The contaminants you want to reduce or remove from your home’s air
• The purifiers that are compatible with your HVAC system
• Your budget

In some cases, a professional may recommend a combination of purifiers to remove a variety of contaminants from your home’s air. For example, purifiers that neutralize biological contaminants (such as a UV light) are often paired with purifiers that remove particulate matter (such as a HEPA filter).

A technician may need to make adjustments to your HVAC or electrical system in order to install the purifier and have it work correctly.

The cost to install the purifier will be greater if the technician needs to make the following adjustments:

• Electrical upgrades: The technician may need to add a designated outlet in order to power the purifier.

• Ductwork repairs: If your ductwork is disconnected or leaky, it will cancel out the air-cleaning benefits provided by the purifier. In order to enjoy those benefits, the technician may recommend repairing your ductwork before installing the purifier.

The technician you hire to install the whole-home air purifier will let you know about these installation considerations before the project begins so you can budget for any extra costs.

Contact Thornton & Grooms today. Our air quality experts can help you choose the right air purifier (or combination of purifiers) for your home’s air quality needs. All of our air quality experts also provide upfront, honest pricing so there are no surprises when you get the final bill.

To learn more about what to expect when you hire us, please visit our air purifier installation page.