KEEP CHILL
You’ve been using your fan all wrong – simple mistakes to fix to keep your bills down
Plus, we've explained how to check how much your fan costs to run
BRITS are already searching for ways to keep cool as the hot weather sets in for the long haul.
With temperatures on the rise, many have dusted off their fans from the loft, while others have headed to the shops to pick up this summer's essential cooling gadget.
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The summer months offer a great opportunity to save money with your expensive heating switched off, but it's important to ensure your new fan doesn't cause your energy bills to skyrocket.
But, with energy prices still high, households already feeling the pinch should be cautious about running fans for extended periods.
Over 22million households on standard variable tariffs remain directly impacted by Ofgem's price cap which changes every three months.
Currently, the price cap sets annual energy costs at around £1,849.
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Analysts at Cornwall Insight predict this will drop by nearly 9% to £1,683 in July.
However, many households may still pay more than Ofgem's headline figure.
This is because the price cap doesn't cap total bills but limits the maximum cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas and electricity, along with daily standing charges.
If you need to keep your fan running for extended periods, such as overnight, there are simple ways to minimise the cost.
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To help you stay cool without breaking the bank, we've explored common mistakes people make when using fans - so your energy bills don't have to fluctuate with the temperature.
Cheap hacks to stay cool this summer
How much energy does a fan use?
IF you'd like to find out how much electricity your fan uses, you first need to work out its “wattage”.
Finding out the "wattage" of a fan will give you the answer and tell you the amount of power it's using.
Then you need to find the total output you will have to turn that wattage into kilowatt hours.
There's a bit of maths involved as first you divide the kilowatt hours by 1,000.
This will give you how much output is used in one hour.
So if your fan is 70 watts output on its high setting and you always use this, divide 70 by 1,000 = 0.07.
Then multiply this number by the number of hours you've used the fan.
For example, if you're using it for 12 hours at a time, then 0.07kW x 12 hours will mean 0.84kW output.
Now that you know your kilowatt output, you need to times it by the amount you pay for 1kW of electricity.
There is no standard price for electricity cost per kWh in the UK, so to find this amount, look at your energy bill.
Based on the price cap from April, suppliers are able to charge up to 27p per kWh for electricity.
With this in mind, you'd take your 0.84kW, and times it by 23 - equalling 23p.
The equation is: cost = power (kilowatt) × time (hour) × cost of 1 kWh (pence).
Of course, costs will vary depending on the type of fan you have, how long you're using it for and how much your energy costs.
Turn it down
It might sound simple, but one of the easiest ways to save energy with a fan is to use it on a lower setting.
"Fans are most efficient on their lowest power setting, so choose the slowest speed that still provides a comfortable cooling breeze," says Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.
If you’re considering buying a new fan, it's worth testing out the different speed options to see if the lower settings can still keep you cool.
And don't assume that the priciest fan is the best option.
The Sun previously tested fans under £30, with a budget supermarket model coming out on top.
Keep it chilled
It’s worth remembering that fans don’t actually lower the temperature of a room — they simply make you feel cooler.
The air circulating over your skin helps to reduce your body temperature, but it won't do much to tackle the heat trapped inside the room itself.
However, Sarah has shared a clever trick to make your fan act more like an air conditioner.
She explained: "You can place your fan in front of an open window to enhance its cooling effect — though on particularly hot days, this could end up circulating warm air through your home.
"A better option is to put a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan, creating a refreshing, cool breeze."
And don't forget, if you're not in the room, there's no point leaving the fan running.
Since it doesn't actually cool the air, it won't make any difference to the room’s temperature while you're away.
Choose the right position
One expert has revealed the optimum position for a fan to be in to keep rooms cool and airy.
"Pop them in the corner or on the floor where the air is coolest," one man said in a video on the .
There are other clever tips that can help you keep temperatures down.
Experts at Ovo Energy have said you can through the house by placing a fan so it points out of the window.
That might seem counter-intuitive, but it works by pulling cooler air in from the outside, and pushing the warmer air out.
Dust it off
As temperatures soar, you might find yourself rummaging through the loft or shed in search of an old fan.
However, before you put it to use, it's essential to ensure it's clean and functioning properly.
"If you've just dug your fan out of the garage or attic, it’s likely covered in dust, which can affect how efficiently it works," says Sarah at Uswitch.
"Give it a thorough clean, removing any dust from the blades and other surfaces."
Not only will this improve the fan's performance, but it will also make your space feel fresher.
Emily Seymour, sustainability editor at Which?, adds: "Cleaning the blades will stop the fan from blowing dust around, so you're less likely to wake up feeling congested if you leave it running overnight."
A quick clean could make all the difference in keeping you cool and comfortable this summer.
Oscillation is key
According to Ovo Energy, oscillating fans - which move from side to side - are the best choice for keeping rooms cool.
This is because they circulate air across the entire room, rather than concentrating on one specific area.
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The good news is that most fans, even budget-friendly options, come with this feature.
So, if you're in the market for a new fan, be sure to check that it has an oscillation function for maximum cooling efficiency.
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