Good indoor air is no longer a luxury – it is a health factor. Especially in indoor spaces where we spend around 90% of our daily lives, air quality plays a crucial role for our well-being, our concentration, and our health.
But how can fresh, purified air be produced in the long term in a cost-effective, sustainable, and low-maintenance way? In this article, we compare the total costs of an AIRY system with those of a classic technical air purifier over a period of 10 years. The result is surprisingly clear – and could also influence your decision for the right system.
What are "full costs"?
In business management terms, we understand "full costs" to mean the total of all costs incurred over the entire period of use – in this case, 10 years. This includes:
- Acquisition costs
- Ongoing operating costs, such as electricity, water, consumables (filters, substrates)
- Maintenance and replacement costs
- Time expenditure, if monetizable
This consideration is especially important when it comes to sustainable investments – for example, in everyday office life, in practices, or even in one's own home.
Green air purification with minimal effort
The AIRY system operates completely passively: it uses the natural cleaning power of houseplants in combination with a specially designed plant pot that optimizes air circulation around the root zone. This creates a natural filtration system without electricity consumption, without fans, and without complex technology.
The cost factors
- Acquisition cost: one-time 139.90 € (AIRY L with 3 bow reeds, most expensive system)
- Ongoing costs: No filter replacement needed, no substrate change necessary
- Water consumption: approx. 3.2 liters/month → 38.4 liters/year → 384 liters/10 years
- Average water price in Germany: approx. 2 €/1,000 liters
- ➜ Total water consumption cost: 384 liters × 0.002 €/liter = 0.77 €
Source: Consumer Advice Center Germany
The total costs over 10 years
- €139.90 + €0.77 = €140.67
- Per year: €14.07
- Per month: €1.17
- Per tag: approximately 3.85 cents
The technical air purifier – effective, but costly
Technical air purifiers with HEPA filters operate with fans, sensors, and sometimes UV light or ionization. These devices are powerful, but they consume electricity, require regular maintenance, and need new filters several times a year (because they do not clean the air, but filter it).
Cost factors (average values)
- Purchase costs: approx. €250
- Filter change: 2–4 times per year, approx. 30–50 € per filter
➜ Average filter costs per year: approx. 80 €
➜ Over 10 years: 800 €
Source: Manufacturer information including Levoit, Philips, Soehnle - Power consumption: Ø 30–150 kWh/year → at Ø 35 ct/kWh ≈ 11–53 €/year
➜ Ø electricity costs per year: approx. 70 €
➜ Over 10 years: 700 €
Source: www.strom.report/strompreise/
Total costs over 10 years
- 250 € (purchase) + 800 € (filter) + 700 € (electricity) = 1,750 €
- Per year: €175
- Per month: €14.58
- Per day: approximately 48 cents
The direct comparison
Less technology, more nature – at a fraction of the cost
When the two systems are compared objectively side by side, a clear picture emerges:
| System | Total costs (10 years) | Cost per day |
|---|---|---|
| AIRY System | €140.67 | 3.85 cents |
| Technical Air Purifier | €1,750.00 | 48 cents |
The AIRY system is not only significantly more cost-effective, but also requires less maintenance and is more sustainable. It needs no electricity, produces no noise, no electronic waste – and additionally brings natural aesthetics and a better spatial effect through plants into everyday life.
For many areas of application – from office spaces to medical practices to living spaces – it is therefore the more ecological and economical choice.
