The key mistakes you're making with your fan and it could be costing you £111 a year
KEEPING your home cool in the summer months can be a bit of a challenge.
Many households turn to gadgets to help keep their pad feeling comfortable when temperatures are rising but beware as these can add a lot of money to energy bills.
1
The typical cost of running a fan is relatively low, no matter whether you opt for a bladeless model or more traditional style portable fan.
For 24 hours of continuous use, you'd expect to pay between 3p and 7p through energy costs, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Even if you continuously used a fan over June, July and August it would add, at most, around £6 to an energy bill.
However, with hotter weather more people are opting for air conditioning units.
These appliances circulate air around the room in a similar way to a fan - but also remove heat from the room.
Air con units are far more expensive to run than fans - typically 20 times as much, according to the EST.
You're looking at paying up to £1.30 for 24 hours of continuous use.
Over the course of a month that would be around £39 and over the summer months, £117.
There are some easy ways to make sure you're getting the most out of a fan to keep your home cool so you can avoid other pricier gadgets, according to consumer group Which?.
Here are the mistakes to avoid...
Forgetting the ice
Your fan can help cool a room faster if there is ice of cold water placed in front of it.
To make this trick work best, you want a bowl filled to the top with ice and the fan blowing air directly on to it.
This will make your fan feel a little more like an air conditioner without the added cost.
Location, location, location
If it's cooler outside, placing your fan next to a window will help draw in colder air helping to bring down the temperature in your home.
This could work especially well in evenings when it's usually colder outside. Make sure it's facing the room and leave the window open.
If you have another window in the room and another spare fan, you could further help push air out of the room by facing it out of the window. This will help create a crosswind in the room.
Pre-running a fan
Some may think that having a fan on in your bedroom before bedtime could be a good way to cool a room.
But in reality you're wasting energy as a fan only creates a breeze which feels cooling rather than lowering the temperature.
It's not a good idea to leave a fan running when you're out or not in a room either from a safety aspect.
Not cleaning up
Get the vacuum out to suck up dust and dirt in a room before turning on your fan.
The gadget will blow air as well as dust and pollen particles around the room.
This can aggravate allergies.
If you're using your fan for the first time this year, it's worth giving it a clean. Follow the manufacturer instructions and clean blades gently if you're able to.
It's a good idea to store your fan in a box or bag during cooler months to stop them gathering dust.
Choosing the wrong fan
As the name suggests, desk fans are usually best placed on a desk or table.
They will then help you feel cool if you're working next to it.
These gadgets are not too powerful and won't create a really strong breeze.
So unless you're sat at the table, opt for a pedestal or tower fan which is designed to reach a larger distance in the room.
How to save money on summer essentials
SUNNIER days and warmer weather will leave many of us wanting to kit out gardens and outdoor areas.
Sun Savers Editor Lana Clements explains how to get a great deal on summer essentials…
It pays to know how to bag big savings on the likes of hot tubs paddling pools, egg chairs and outside bars.
Many retailers have flash sales across entire ranges – often this ties into payday at the end of the month or Bank Holiday weekends.
Sign up to the mailing lists of your favourite brands and you'll be first to know of special offers. It can be worth following retailers on social media too.
Keep a close eye on the specialbuys at Aldi and middle of Lidl drops which drop a couple of times a week and usually mean great value seasonal items such as beach gear and paddling pools.
If you are not in a hurry to buy an item, try adding it to the shopping cart and leaving it for a couple of days.
Sometimes big brands will try to tempt you into the sale by offering you a discount.
Always check if you can get cashback before paying. It's especially worth using sites such as Topcashback, Quidco and app Jamdoughnut when buying bigger ticket items such as garden furniture as you'll get a nice kickback.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
25 minutes ago
- Times
Late Queen carried cash for bets at the races, ex-aide reveals
For years it was thought that the late Queen did not handle cash, save for a neatly folded banknote in her handbag for the collection at church on Sunday. A former aide of Elizabeth II has now revealed that there was one other occasion when the late monarch carried a stash of the folding stuff: at the races. Ailsa Anderson, the late Queen's press secretary, has revealed that while Her Majesty did not place a bet herself, she was known to hand cash to an equerry who would carry out the task for her. Until now, it was assumed Queen Elizabeth II never carried cash except for a neatly folded note for church Speaking on The Times podcast The Royals, Anderson said: 'It would be done through the equerry.' When asked if she handed over cash she said: 'Yes, absolutely. She didn't place [the bet] herself but the race cards were there.'
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Why playing EuroMillions now gives you the best chance of winning £14m jackpot
PLAYING the EuroMillions tonight gives you the best chance of bagging the £14million jackpot. A Lucky Irish ticket holder won the biggest ever prize of £208million this week and the jackpot has now reset. But it means those playing tonight have the best chance of winning the entire jackpot. This is because less people are likely to play because it's not a mega jackpot and that means any winnings could be split between a smaller group. A spokesperson for Allwyn, which runs the National Lottery, explained: "EuroMillions is designed to be a huge, rolling jackpot game. "So, we always have more people enter as the jackpot rises and excitement grows. "We also see more syndicates and groups playing the game as the jackpot climbs. "However, every draw, the odds of winning the jackpot remain the same no matter what the jackpot amount. "You could possibly argue that, if fewer people play, then you are potentially less likely to share the jackpot with other winners." The spokesperson added that, ultimately, any lottery is a game of chance and anything can happen, especially depending on what numbers are drawn and based on number combinations. Of course, always remember to only gamble with money you can afford to lose, and set a spending limit before you play. Visit or if you need help. If you do win the EuroMillions tonight, any prize must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date. Biggest ever EuroMillions jackpot A record £208million EuroMillions prize was scooped earlier this week, leaving the winner with an eye-watering pot of cash. The National Lottery EuroMillions winning numbers were: 13, 22, 23, 44, 49 and the Lucky Stars are: 03, 05. While one lucky person in Ireland won the jackpot, dozens of Brits also scooped prizes. There were three players who matched five numbers and one lucky star who will win a whopping £6.3m each. While 16 Brits won £16,119.10 by matching the five main numbers.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
What the summer solstice means for your star sign
By Published: | Updated: As the summer solstice dawns, the longest day of the year is set to give way to one of the most powerful spiritual opportunities, say astrologers. The summer solstice takes place in the UK on 21 June and carries the most daylight hours of any other in the year, making in the longest day and shortest night in the calendar. Spiritually speaking, this can mean big things for people's star signs, with the summer solstice holding immense energetic potential. Spiritual medium Tracy Higgs told MailOnline it is a 'powerful time of illumination, clarity, and renewal'. 'The solstice invites us to awaken to our purpose and realign with the light within. It's a sacred portal of growth,' she added. While Sagittarius signs will experience themes of rebirth and intimacy that awaken passion and power, Leos should pause to reflect, reconnect, and focus on resting over revival. Meanwhile, those born under the sign of cancer, due to celebrate their birthdays, are currently experiencing a cycle of personal growth, meaning they must shed old skin to renew. Aries on the other hand, are being 'nudged to focus inward' and should stick to clearing away stagnant energy to 'invite peace'. According to the medium, the solstice acts as a reminder from the universe that we are 'light'. 'We are part of the great turning wheel of life, always evolving, always growing. Wherever your sign sits in the sky, let this sacred shift bring you back to centre.' On the longest day of the year, she encouraged all signs to light a candle at sunrise or sunset and to ask spirit guide to follow them into the ' next season with clarity, courage, and compassion'. Aries (21 March – 19 April) Theme: Self-leadership and Home Awakening. Higgs said: 'The solstice lights up your fourth house of home and emotional foundations. You're being nudged to focus inward—on your roots, your sanctuary, and your soul's safe space.' The astrologer said it is 'a powerful time to clear your home of stagnant energy and invite in peace.' Solstice Soul Prompt: What does emotional safety truly feel like to me? Taurus (20 April – 20 May) Theme: Voice, Vision & Vibrations. 'Communication is your theme, dear Taurus,' Higgs said. 'This solstice highlights your third house—it's time to speak your truth, write from your heart, and be heard. Spirit may send signs through conversations and synchronicities.' Solstice Soul Prompt: Where am I holding back my voice—and why? Gemini (21 May – 20 June) Theme: Sacred Self-Worth. For Gemini, the solstice will shift attention towards values of self-worth. 'It's not just about money—it's about knowing what you truly deserve,' the spiritualist said. She urged Geminis to align 'energy with abundance', adding that they 'may be called to review how to invest time, energy, and love.' Solstice Soul Prompt: What do I need to release to receive more? Cancer (21 June – 22 July) Theme: Rebirth and Radiance. 'This solstice is your solar return, Cancer,' Higgs pointed out. 'You're stepping into a new cycle of personal growth. Shed the old skin of who you've been, and stand tall in the light of who you're becoming.' With it being Cancer's birthday, their 'intuitive power is especially strong now,' according to the medium. Solstice Soul Prompt: What new version of me is being born? Leo (23 July – 22 August Theme: Surrender and Spiritual Insight. 'Your twelfth house is lit up, Leo, asking you to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your higher self,' Higgs said. 'This solstice isn't about action—it's about soul whispers, healing sleep, and deep reflection. The spirit world may be calling.' Solstice Soul Prompt: Where do I need to rest, not rush? Virgo (23 August – 22 September) Theme: Visionary Community and Purpose. 'The solstice activates your eleventh house of dreams and soul tribes.' The spiritualist encouraged Virgos to ask questions this summer solstice. 'Who lifts you? Who drains you? Tune in,' she said, adding that it was a 'potent time to set intentions' for the future and align with kindred spirits. Solstice Soul Prompt: What vision am I ready to commit to? Libra (23 September – 22 October) Theme: Soulful Ambition and Recognition. 'Your tenth house of career and soul mission is illuminated,' the spiritualist said. 'The solstice gives you a golden spotlight—don't shy away.' She implored Libras to 'step into' their power and that 'ecognition or leadership may be on the horizon.' Solstice Soul Prompt: Am I honouring the full scale of my potential? Sagittarius (22 November – 21 December) Theme: Depth, Desire & Transformation. 'The solstice stirs your eighth house—death, rebirth, intimacy, and deep soul healing,' said Higgs. Sagittarius shouldn't be 'afraid to dive in', since the solstice offers a 'sacred time to release what's been buried and awaken passion and power.' Solstice Soul Prompt: What am I ready to transform—once and for all? Capricorn (22 December – 19 January) Theme: Soul Contracts and Sacred Mirrors. It's all about relationships for Capricorn, with partnerships at the forefront of their future. The solstice will 'bring clarity' to partnerships of all kind, including 'romantic, business, or spiritual.' 'Are they nourishing your soul or draining your energy?' the medium encouraged Capricorn's to ask. 'You're being asked to find balance and integrity.' Solstice Soul Prompt: What relationships truly align with who I am becoming? Aquarius (20 January – 18 February) Theme: Sacred Routine and Embodied Energy. For Aquarius, themes of 'healing' and spiritual service' are highlighted. 'What do your daily habits say about your self-love? The solstice invites you to honour your body as a temple and fine-tune your energy field.' Solstice Soul Prompt: What rhythms of life truly serve me now? Pisces (19 February – 20 March) Theme: Joy, Creativity & Inner Child Healing. The solstice is about 'joy' for Pisces, with 'play and pleasure' both being illuminated. 'Creativity flows in, and your inner child calls for attention. Honour what makes your spirit sing,' Higgs said. Solstice Soul Prompt: Where have I forgotten how to play—and how can I return to it?
