Use Case: Care Homes

The short answer

A large trial in 91 English care homes, published in 2026, found no evidence that the tested portable HEPA-filter deployment reduced infections, so air purifiers should not be offered as a proven infection-control measure. Air purifiers do reduce fine-particle pollution indoors — a Southwark Council study measured 38% lower PM2.5 on average in care homes — which matters in homes near busy roads and for residents’ comfort. Choose units suited to the room and to quiet operation, and run them continuously.

What the evidence says

• Infections — no evidence of reduction. The NIHR-funded AFRI-c trial (University of Bristol; JAMA Internal Medicine, July 2026) compared 47 care homes using portable HEPA filters with 44 homes without them, between 2021 and 2024. It found no evidence that the tested deployment reduced infections. The trial recorded how residents and staff perceived air quality, but did not measure particles or CO₂. The authors advise care homes not to invest in portable HEPA filters to reduce infections (University of Bristol).
• Fine particles — clear reduction. Southwark Council’s 11-month study in three care homes found purifiers cut PM2.5 by an average of 38% (Southwark Council). That study did not test HATL products or measure health outcomes.
• What this means: consider air purifiers for particle pollution and comfort — not as an infection-control measure. Standard measures (vaccination, cleaning, hand hygiene and ventilation) remain the priority.

How many units?

Ceiling height 2.4 m. Clean air added by each unit at maximum setting.

The table shows the clean air the purifier adds at its maximum setting. Existing ventilation also counts towards the total. At quieter settings each unit delivers less clean air than shown. Final selection depends on occupancy, ventilation, room layout, noise and the requirements of the setting. The HA200 is a fixed installation through an external wall; suitability is decided for each home. For bedrooms, confirm the overnight setting and its noise before choosing a unit.

Running cost

Running continuously (8,760 hours a year) at maximum setting, at 26.32p/kWh excluding VAT, electricity costs approximately £85 a year for an HA200 (heater off), £104 for an HA500 and £184 for an HA800. At its lowest two settings the HA200 uses 7.8–9.3 W — about £18–£21 a year — but delivers less clean air than the table shows. The HA200’s heater, if used, adds to these costs.

Filters: £150 (HA500) or £240 (HA800) per replacement set, including VAT, typically lasting about two years. For HA200 filter prices, ask HATL.

FAQs

Do air purifiers stop infections in care homes?

The AFRI-c trial found no evidence of reduced infections under the conditions tested. A purifier should not be offered as a proven infection-prevention intervention on that basis. Use air purifiers for air quality, not infection control.

What do air purifiers reduce in a care home?

Fine particles (PM2.5) from traffic, cooking and dust — 38% lower on average in a Southwark study of care homes.

Can an air purifier run overnight in a resident’s bedroom?

Yes, if it is quiet enough for sleep. Check the noise at the setting you will use at night, and remember that a lower setting delivers less clean air.

Sources

• JAMA Internal Medicine — AFRI-c trial (2026)
• University of Bristol — Portable air filters and infections in care homes (July 2026)
• Southwark Council — Real-world research on air purifiers in schools and care homes (2024)
• Lancet COVID-19 Commission — Proposed Non-infectious Air Delivery Rates (Nov 2022)
• Ofgem — Energy price cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026