Hot weather appliances that are adding to your energy bills this summer – and the cheaper alternatives
SOME of your favourite hot weather appliances and gadgets could be guzzling through energy and seeing your bills shoot up this summer.
Households are basking in glorious sunshine across the UK with some facing record-breaking temperatures for the second day running.
A number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria this afternoon too, according to the Met Office.
But while many of us rejoice at the idea of basking in the sun, plenty will be looking for ways to keep cool during the day and night.
Some of those hot weather appliances designed to keep temperatures down can end up churning through energy though.
USwitch has revealed just how much some of them could be costing you per hour.
The full list is in the table above, but we've listed some of the most costly ones below.
Aircon unit (built in) - £40
Air-con units are great at keeping you cool overnight, but are some of the most fuel-guzzling appliances out there.
Under the current price cap, a 2,700 watt built in air con unit costs you a whopping 73p an hour to run.
Used for just eight hours overnight that's £5.84, or £40.88 based on eight hours of use night over seven days.
Aircon unit (portable) - £15
Portable aircon units work similarly to built in ones, except they are, as the name suggests, portable.
They are generally cheaper to run than built in units, but still churn through your energy.
Under the current price cap, a 1,000 watt unit costs around 27p to run per hour.
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Over eight hours that's £2.16, or £15.12 based on eight hours a night over seven days.
Dehumidifier - £2.80
Dehumidifiers can keep you cool by sucking in moisture from the surrounding area - but be wary of the costs.
A 12-litre size 185 watt unit will cost you around 5p an hour to run under the current price cap, according to Uswitch.
That's 40p over eight hours or £2.80 based on eight hours of usage a day for a week.
Air cooler cube - £1.28
Air cooler cubes work similarly to air conditioning units but are generally smaller and more portable.
They're cheaper to run than their larger cousins as well, but leave one on for long enough and costs can still rack up.
Uswitch said under the current price cap, a 75 watt model will set you back 2p an hour to run - 16p over an eight hours time period.
Based on eight hours of usage a day over seven days, that's £1.28.
Ceiling fan - £1.28
7
Ceiling fans work by pushing air downwards, accelerating the evaporation of sweat from your skin.
But they're not exactly the cheapest appliances to run, especially if you're using them on the regular.
A 75 watt model uses around 2p an hour to run, under the current price cap, or 16p over an eight hours time period.
Stacked up over seven days and you'll be forking out £1.28.
Desktop fan - 50p
7
There's nothing like the cool breeze from a desktop fan, but they'll eat through your energy.
A 35 watt appliance costs 0.9p to run per hour, which is 7.2p over eight hours, and 50p stacked up over a week.
Pedestal fan - 90p
Pedestal fans, due to them being larger than desktop fans, are more costly to run per hour.
Uswitch said a 60 watt model costs 1.62p to run an hour, which is 12.96p over eight hours and roughly 90p based on eight hours seven days a week.
Cheaper ways to keep cool
There are other effective ways to keep cool that cost absolutely nothing.
Checkatrade insulation expert Lee West told The Sun earlier this week even the way you open windows can keep your home cooler.
During the evening, he said, open windows on opposite sides of your property to create a cross-breeze.
This so-called "night-flush ventilation" allows cooler air to circulate around your home and trapped heat inside to escape.
Hanging already damp sheets in front of open windows or in the path of a fan can create a cooling effect too.
Even placing your mattress directly on the floor instead of on a bed frame can keep you from overheating overnight as well.
Staying safe in the sun
While warmer weather can be fun, it is important to stay safe and avoid over heating - here are some other top tips to stay safe in the sun
Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection
The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through.
Drink water
Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day.
Use suncream
According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body.
If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective
If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
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