Households urged to ditch air con for £10 ‘short-term heatwave fix’
The time of year has come again when the temperature in the UK exceeds that of some of your favourite summer European holiday destinations. With temperatures rising well over 25 degrees, shops are sure to see an influx of customers rushing to purchase the best available fan to keep cool during work-from-home days or while lounging inside the house.
While rushing to purchase the best fan (which can sometimes be on the pricier side) or home-installed air conditioning that will definitely exceed the summer fun budget, it’s worth noting that there are fans costing under £20 that do the exact same job – if not better – than the heavy-duty models that can take you from cooling down to actually catching a cold!
A short-term fix can be the solution to a temporary heatwave, with a £10 desktop fan being a far more affordable option compared to home-installed air conditioning, which can quickly rise to £5,000 for installation- and that’s not including running costs. Joe Stein of AllStar Electrical & Air Conditioning highlighted that costs can vary depending on size, with several factors affecting running costs, including unit size and power.
“It could be £1.50 per night [when used for eight hours at a time during the summer],” he adds.
Other comments on the topic included one person noting: “If you have taken the plunge with air conditioning, don’t forget that it’s easy to build up a hefty electricity bill.”
“If you’re looking for a short-term fix during a heatwave, a desktop fan is far less energy-hungry – using less than 1p an hour – and can be bought for as little as £10.”
The use of air conditioning in the UK has risen seven-fold over the past decade, according to a recent paper published in Energy Research & Social Science. Once dismissed as “too American,” full-scale cooling systems are fast becoming a fixture in British homes – particularly during record-breaking summer spells.
But while air con offers a long-term solution, experts warn it’s not always the most practical or cost-effective option for short-lived heatwaves. For temporary relief, compact desk fans are proving to be a smarter choice. They’re affordable, energy-efficient, easy to set up, and – crucially – can be packed away when cooler weather returns, avoiding unnecessary energy use and ongoing maintenance costs.
It’s also worth highlighting that if you’re opting for air conditioning, the power ratings of fitted units should always be checked prior to installation. This helps you understand what the running costs will be, allowing you to determine whether it’s the best option for you – both financially and in the long term.
