As the UK swelters in record-breaking spring temperatures, many home workers are dreaming of office air conditioning. However, a cost-effective solution may be closer than you think.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, running a typical fan for 24 hours costs between 15p and 31p in Great Britain and between 17p and 37p in Northern Ireland. For those spending most of their time at a desk, a small USB fan offers an even cheaper alternative. The trust said: "Using a small USB fan on your desk can be a cheap way to stay cool while working at a computer."
More expensive tower, desktop or pedestal fans are not necessarily more efficient or cheaper to run than cheaper models. Bladeless fans, often the most costly to buy, have similar running costs. By contrast, portable air conditioning units are significantly more expensive to purchase and consume much more energy, costing almost 20 times as much to run all day as a typical freestanding fan.
Beyond fans, the Energy Saving Trust recommends other low-cost strategies: opening windows, and closing blinds and curtains. "It's easier and cheaper to prevent heat from entering your home than to cool it down," experts noted.
