Archive · 7 Nov 2025
Bengaluru Startup Develops Affordable AC Module to Purify Air
Imagine your home's air conditioner not only cools you but also cleans the air you breathe!
A startup founder named Aayush, whose father got sick from bad air in Delhi, created a special filter called Clairco.
This filter is like a smart add-on for regular air conditioners.
It's much cheaper than buying a separate air purifier, costing about 100 times less.
The filter works by trapping tiny pollution particles, making the air inside much cleaner.
Aayush's company targets big places like malls and offices first because they have large central air conditioning systems.
They even use technology to tell you exactly when the filter needs changing.
If they don't make the air clean enough, they don't charge for it.
This helps many people breathe healthier air every day.
Bengaluru startup Clairco has developed a low-drag nano air filter to convert existing air conditioners into air purifiers.
The solution is designed for commercial spaces with central ACs and is estimated to be 100 times cheaper than conventional air purification systems.
The Clairco filter integrates with ACs, claims not to significantly impact cooling performance, and maintains air quality by reducing PM 10 and PM 2.5.
The company uses IoT technology to monitor air quality in real-time and indicate when filters need replacement.
Clairco, founded in 2018, has seen significant growth since mid-2020 and aims to expand its reach across India and internationally.
- Who
- Aayush, a Bengaluru-based startup founder, and his company Clairco.
- What
- Developed and markets low-drag nano air filters that integrate with existing air conditioners to function as air purifiers.
- When
- The company was founded in 2018, with the final product ready in January 2020. Significant business growth observed since June 2020.
- Where
- Bengaluru (startup origin), with current clients in Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, and expansion plans for Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
- Why
- To provide an affordable and effective solution for indoor air purification, inspired by the need to address severe air pollution's health impacts, particularly after the founder's father fell ill due to Delhi's air quality.
Clairco's Solution and Its Benefits
Comparison with Standalone Purifiers and AC Performance
Cost and Accessibility
Clairco's Solution and Its Benefits
Clairco offers a solution that is significantly cheaper (estimated 1/100th the cost) than traditional air purification systems by retrofitting existing ACs, making clean air accessible to more businesses.
Comparison with Standalone Purifiers and AC Performance
The cost-effectiveness is achieved by integrating filters into existing AC units. While this is affordable, the effectiveness might be compared to dedicated, potentially more advanced, standalone air purifiers.
Impact on AC Performance
Clairco's Solution and Its Benefits
Aayush claims that their low-drag nano air filters do not significantly affect the AC's original cooling performance, especially for central cooling ACs targeted for commercial spaces.
Comparison with Standalone Purifiers and AC Performance
Aayush previously noted that adding purifying filters to ACs could increase the effort required for cooling, potentially affecting performance, especially for residential ACs.
- Founder
- Aayush (son of Kaushal Jha)
- Startup Name
- Clairco (Clean Air Company)
- Founding Year
- 2018
- Product
- Low-drag nano air filters integrated with IoT for AC units
- Functionality
- Converts split ACs into air purifiers, maintaining AQI at PM 10 and PM 2.5, reducing PPM by 90% compared to surrounding areas.
- Cost
- Approximately 1/100th the cost of traditional solutions
- Funding
- Initial funding of Rs 50 lakh from AngelList investors (May 2019)
- Target Market
- Initially B2B: malls, multiplexes, corporate companies (centrally cooled ACs); expanding to Tier-1 cities and international markets.
