Franklin Energy's New Filter Aims to Make Clean Air More Affordable

PORT WASHINGTON, WI – February 24, 2026 – Franklin Energy, a company known for its comprehensive energy solutions, today announced a product that targets one of the biggest consumer grievances in home wellness: the high cost of clean air. The company has introduced a patent-pending Advanced Air Filter Cartridge for its Simply Conserve® Tabletop Air Purifier, a move designed to slash ongoing ownership costs and make high-quality air filtration more accessible to the average household.

The new modular cartridge system promises to reduce filter replacement expenses by up to 60 percent, a bold claim in a market where the long-term financial commitment often deters potential buyers. By redesigning the filter into reusable and individually replaceable components, Franklin Energy is directly addressing the financial and environmental toll of traditional all-in-one disposable filters.

The High Cost of Breathing Clean

The market for home air purifiers has boomed as public awareness of indoor air quality—affected by everything from pollen and pet dander to smoke from wildfires and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—has grown. Yet, the initial purchase of a purifier is often just the beginning of the expense. The true cost of ownership is hidden in the recurring necessity of replacing filters.

Industry analysis shows that annual filter replacement costs for popular home air purifiers can range from $50 to well over $200, depending on the unit's size, usage, and local air quality. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, the gold standard for capturing microscopic particles, typically require replacement every 6 to 12 months. Activated carbon filters, which absorb odors and chemical gases, often saturate even faster and may need to be swapped out two to four times a year. Many manufacturers bundle these filters into single, expensive cartridges, forcing consumers to discard the entire unit even if only one component is exhausted.

This relentless cycle of repurchasing creates a significant financial barrier, particularly for low- to moderate-income (LMI) households. For these families, an extra hundred dollars or more in annual maintenance can be prohibitive, effectively placing the health benefits of purified air out of reach. Franklin Energy's new system is engineered to dismantle this barrier.

An Innovative, Sustainable Design

The core of the company's innovation lies in a simple but effective modular design. The Advanced Air Filter Cartridge features a three-stage filtration process, but with a critical difference from many of its competitors.

1. Washable Pre-Filter: The first line of defense, which traps large particles like dust, lint, and pet hair, is designed to be removed, washed, and reused multiple times. This alone prevents the frequent disposal of bulky pre-filter material.

2. True HEPA H13 Filter: The powerhouse of the system, this filter captures 99.97 percent of microscopic particulates down to 0.3 microns, including bacteria, mold, and smoke particles.

3. Activated Carbon Filter: Bonded with the HEPA filter into a composite unit, this layer absorbs odors and harmful gases.

By separating the washable pre-filter from the disposable HEPA/carbon composite, the system allows users to replace only what is truly necessary. This not only dramatically lowers the cost of a refresh—consumers buy a smaller, less expensive replacement pack—but also significantly reduces landfill waste. Traditional all-in-one cartridges, made of mixed materials like plastic, synthetic fibers, and carbon, are notoriously difficult to recycle and contribute to the growing problem of electronic waste.

“Our breakthrough Advanced Air Filter Cartridge design removes one of the biggest barriers to air purifier ownership—expensive filter replacement costs,” explained Brady Loomis, Senior Marketing Manager – Products, in the company's announcement. “By making the Simply Conserve® Tabletop Air Purifier more affordable to maintain, we’re helping households and program partners improve comfort, support healthier indoor environments, and reduce energy costs without added financial strain.”

While other companies have explored sustainable solutions, such as long-life filters that last for years or filterless technologies, Franklin Energy’s approach provides a practical, intermediate step that works within the proven and popular framework of HEPA filtration. It makes sustainability and affordability an immediate feature, not a distant, high-cost alternative.

Bridging the Gap in Health Equity

The impact of this cost-reduction strategy extends beyond individual household budgets; it touches on the broader issue of health equity. LMI communities often face a double burden of higher exposure to environmental pollutants and fewer financial resources to mitigate them. The Simply Conserve® purifier, equipped with its new cost-effective filter, is positioned as an ideal solution for energy efficiency programs run by utilities and government agencies.

These programs aim to bring energy-saving and health-improving technologies to underserved populations. The product's value is bolstered by its ENERGY STAR® certification, guaranteeing low electricity consumption, and its AHAM Verified® mark, which independently certifies its clean-air delivery rate. These credentials make it a trustworthy and effective choice for program administrators looking to maximize their impact.

By lowering the long-term cost barrier, Franklin Energy makes it more likely that a purifier placed in a home through an assistance program will continue to be used effectively for years, delivering sustained health benefits and energy savings rather than being retired after the first expensive filter change is due.

A Strategic Move in a Competitive Market

From a business perspective, the launch of the Advanced Air Filter Cartridge is a shrewd strategic move. Instead of competing solely on a purifier's initial price or raw power, Franklin Energy is differentiating its Simply Conserve® brand by tackling a major post-purchase pain point. This focus on total cost of ownership and user experience is designed to build long-term customer loyalty.

This strategy positions the company effectively within a crowded marketplace. While premium brands may offer filters that last for five years, they often come with a high upfront cost. On the other end, budget brands may be cheap to buy but can be costly to maintain. Franklin Energy is carving out a middle ground focused on long-term value and practicality.

The move aligns perfectly with the company's broader identity as a provider of comprehensive energy solutions. By linking an affordable consumer product to its larger mission of advancing energy efficiency and supporting utility programs, Franklin Energy demonstrates a holistic understanding of the market, where sustainable products and equitable access are becoming powerful drivers of success.