MANY homes will be turning on their fans as the warmer weather arrives across the UK.
Many people will look for devices in the back of closets and lofts to stay cool.
But while fans are ideal if you’re looking to get a good night’s sleep, costs can add up quickly.
However, if used correctly, it is not necessary to stick out an arm and a leg.
We’ve looked at the most common mistakes people make when using devices and how to save money.
Refuse it
It may be an obvious trick, but turning the fan all the way down is a quick way to save money.
Read more on Energy Bills
Uswitch energy expert Sarah Broomfield previously told The Sun: “Fans are most efficient at their lowest power setting, so choose the slowest speed that gives you a decent cooling breeze.”
Before purchasing a fan, be sure to test it to make sure the lowest setting keeps you cool enough.
Also remember that the most expensive option is not always the best.
Be sure to compare prices and look at customer reviews to determine which model you should buy.
keep it cold
Despite what you may think, fans don’t actually cool the air, they simply recirculate it from inside the room.
However, there are tricks you can use to cool the air next to the fan.
Sarah said: “You could place your fan in front of an open window to enhance its cooling effect, although if it’s a particularly hot day this may mean blowing hot air through the house.
“A better trick is to place a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan, which will give you a nice cool breeze.”
The Earthtopia TikTok account previously revealed how placing the fan in the corner of the room or on the floor can also help.
This is because the air is cooler in these parts of the room.
How to save on your energy bills
SWITCHING energy suppliers may seem like a hassle, but fortunately it’s quite easy to switch suppliers and save a lot of money.
Shopping around – If you have a contract with SVT you are probably wasting up to £250 a year. Use a comparison site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals, meaning you will usually pay a fixed amount over 12 months.
Change – When you have found one, all you have to do is contact the new provider.
It is helpful to have the following information, which can be found on your invoice, on hand to give to the new supplier.
- your zip code
- Name of your current provider
- Name your existing agreement and how much you pay. An updated meter reading.
You will then notify your current provider and begin the switch.
It should take no more than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply will not be interrupted in that time.
remove the dust
Take inspiration from Taylor Swift and dust off your fan unit to ensure it runs efficiently.
Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies so that all the debris from the blades has been removed as well.
Sarah said: “If you’ve just taken the fan out of the garage or attic, it may have collected a lot of dust, which can reduce the efficiency of the mechanism.
“Clean your fan thoroughly, removing dust from the blades and any other surfaces.”
Removing dust will not only make the fan work better, but it will also make your room less stuffy.
Emily Seymour, which one? The sustainability editor previously said: “This will mean the fan won’t blow away dust, so you won’t wake up feeling stuck if you leave it on at night.”
Oscillation is key
Oscillation Fans that oscillate (move from side to side) are best, according to Ovo Energy.
This is because they move air throughout a room, rather than simply cooling a specific location.
The good news is that most fans, even the cheapest ones, should have this feature.
How much energy does a fan consume?
To calculate how much electricity a fan consumes, you must first calculate its power.
Then you need to find the total output and you will need to convert that power into kilowatt hours.
There is a bit of math involved, as you first divide the kilowatt hours by 1,000.
This will give you how much production is used in an hour.
So if your fan is rated at 70 watts on its high setting and you always use this, divide 70 by 1000 = 0.07.
Then multiply this number by the number of hours you have used the fan.
For example, if you use it for 12 hours straight, then 0.07 kW x 12 hours will mean an output of 0.84 kW.
How much does it cost?
Now that you know your kilowatt output, you need to multiply it by the amount you pay for 1 kW of electricity.
There is no standard price for the cost of electricity per kWh in the UK, so to find this amount, check your energy bill.
However, under the price cap from July 1, suppliers will be able to charge up to 22.36p per kWh.
With this in mind, you would take your 0.84kW and multiply it by 30, which equals 18.7p.
The equation is: cost = power (kilowatt) × time (hour) × cost of 1 kWh (pence).
Of course, the total cost of running your fan will depend on how long you have it on.
But, if you had a 70 watt fan on for eight hours a day for a week from July 1, it will cost you around £10.47.
Do you have a money problem that needs a solution? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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