As temperatures rise across the UK, many households are turning to fans to help get through warm summer nights. If you are resorting to leaving a fan on during the night to help you sleep you might be concerned about the cost it will add to your energy bill.
New Energy Price Cap and Fan Running Costs
Millions of households face new energy prices following Ofgem's latest price cap change on July 1. The average electricity unit rate for households paying by Direct Debit is now 26.11p per kWh, with a daily standing charge of 57.19p.
The cost of heating bills during winter is a worry for many but keeping cool in the summer is another time where energy prices will be on the mind of householders. But running a fan overnight might not be as expensive as you think. It does depend on the type you use.
Research Reveals Overnight Fan Costs
Research by Calculator Academy, using its Electricity Cost Calculator, has revealed the cost of running different types of household fans overnight, based on an eight-hour period of use.
The good news for households trying to keep costs down is that fans remain one of the cheapest ways to stay cool. A typical desk fan using between 20W and 40W costs around 4.8p to 9p for a full night's use. If left running every night for a week, this would add between 34p and 63p to your electricity bill.
Meanwhile, tower and pedestal fans use slightly more power, with an overnight cost of around 11p to 17.6p. Over seven nights, this works out at roughly 77p to £1.23.
However, larger box fans and floor fans are the most expensive of the common household fan options, costing around 17.6p to 22.4p for eight hours of use. Although it may not seem like a lot, running one of these types of fans every night for a week would cost approximately £1.23 to £1.57.
Fans Still Cheaper Than Air Conditioning
The cost of running these fans varies depending on size and power, although experts say these appliances are still far cheaper to run than air conditioning units, which can use several times more electricity and quickly add pounds to energy bills if left running overnight.
Patrick Myers, spokesperson for Calculator Academy, said: "Many people assume leaving a fan running overnight will noticeably increase their electricity bill, but our calculations show they're actually one of the cheapest appliances you can use to stay cool. Even larger household fans typically cost less than 25p for an entire night's use."
He added: "Simple steps like closing curtains during the hottest part of the day, opening windows once outdoor temperatures fall and choosing the right size fan for the room can all help reduce the need for more energy-intensive cooling while keeping your home comfortable."
Additional Tips to Cut Cooling Costs
Alongside using fans, households can also cut cooling costs by keeping curtains and blinds closed during the hottest part of the day to prevent sunlight heating rooms.
Opening windows in the evening or early morning when outdoor temperatures are lower can also help cool homes naturally, while switching off unused lights and electronics can prevent unnecessary heat building up indoors.
For those using fans overnight, experts recommend choosing the smallest fan that does the job, as smaller models typically use much less electricity than larger floor or pedestal fans.
