We all have our favourite tricks for keeping cool during a heatwave but some are more cost-effective than others. Many of us reach for an electric fan - but it could be a waste of electricity.
A fan circulates the air in a room but it doesn't actually decrease the temperature and especially if you're letting warm air from the outside in. Be careful too when it comes to using appliances that could create more heat.
The type of lightbulbs you use can make a big difference. And it might be time to ditch the dishwasher and think about washing your dishes by hand.
With energy prices at a record high, Nigel Best, director of electrical training provider Electrician Courses 4U , has shared the top five mistakes to avoid making when staying cool this summer.
Misusing fans
Despite being one of the most commonly used appliances when the weather hots up, many of us are guilty of misusing their fans and ultimately wasting electricity. By itself, a fan doesn’t actually decrease the temperature of a room, instead, it circulates the air and creates a breeze - providing you with a cooling sensation.
One of the key mistakes people make when using their fan is having their windows open and allowing hot air to enter. All this does is increase the temperature of the room and ultimately leads to warm air being circulated around you.
Beyond keeping your windows shut, another trick to consider is to place a bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan. This will ensure cold air is being blown around the room providing you with a nice crisp breeze. Remember to put the bowl on a tray, or similar, to catch any condensation as the ice melts.
Overusing appliances that cause humidity
Dishwashers and washing machines are up there with the most energy-intensive appliances in your home. Not only that, they all produce steam which can cause humidity and make a home feel even warmer than normal.
While it may be slightly more time-consuming, consider washing your dishes by hand instead of using a dishwasher. The same goes for your clothes, especially smaller garments such as pants, socks and shorts. Hand-washing your clothes will not only reduce your water usage but it will also limit any heat which would be generated from using a washing machine.
Leaving unused electrical appliances switched on
Electrical appliances such as TVs and laptops will produce heat when they’re switched on so if you’re trying to keep a room cool it’s imperative that you switch off any appliances you aren’t using. Appliances continue to consume power and emit heat when they’re left on standby mode so make sure you switch them off at the socket.
If you need to charge your phone or laptop overnight it’s recommended that you find a plug socket in a corner away from your bed. This will allow you to more effectively manage the temperature in your bedroom and hopefully enjoy a better night's sleep.
Relying on an inefficient fridge freezer
Whether it’s to store ice lollies or to keep your bed sheets chilled, our fridge freezers get plenty of use in the summer. As a result, failing to maintain your freezer throughout the year can be a costly mistake to make, especially as temperatures warm up.
If you haven’t defrosted your freezer recently it is likely that clumps of ice have built up, reducing the space you have for storage inside. Not only this, the ice will restrict airflow - causing your freezer to use more energy to maintain its cold temperature which will ultimately cost you more money to run the appliance.
To guard against this, set aside a day to fully defrost your freezer so you can save those pennies and make enough space to cool your bed linen.
Switching lights on
As appliances go traditional light bulbs are extremely inefficient - giving off up to 90% of their energy as heat. With that in mind it’s important you limit your use of lights in the summer when trying to keep cool.
With us being blessed with longer daylight hours during the spring and summer there really shouldn’t be a need to turn your lights on. If you’ve kept your blinds or curtains drawn to block out the sun during the day, remember to open them at night so you can maximise the natural daylight - reducing the need to rely on lights.
Making a simple change to the bulbs you use can also make a big difference. Low-energy light bulbs or LED lights are much more energy-efficient and emit a lot less heat than incandescent light bulbs.
