Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) team is helping families save money during a blisteringly hot bank holiday weekend. Bank holiday Monday is one of the hottest on record, with temperatures reaching 35C in Birmingham and the Midlands.
Millions of families will be switching their fans on during these sweltering days, especially as the UK mostly lacks air conditioning in homes. However, the cost of running a fan can rack up, leaving many to wonder if it is worth it ahead of the July energy price rise of over £200.
Exact Costs of Running a Fan
The MSE team wrote: “Many have asked us if using an electric fan to keep cool in summer will burn a hole in their pocket. The good news is you CAN use an electric fan to manage the heat without breaking into a cold sweat at the cost.”
A typical 12-inch 35-watt desk fan would cost less than 1p an hour to run based on the current Price Cap rates, so about 7p if you leave it on all night. A big 50-watt tower fan wouldn't cost much more – just over 1p an hour. If you have a large floor fan, they typically range between 10 watts and 120 watts, costing up to 3p an hour.
Heatwave Forecast
The heatwave is expected to stretch well into the week, with the Met Office forecasting it coming to an end on Friday. While the costs seem minimal, they can soon add up over numerous days, especially for those working from home or spending evenings indoors after work.
