While it can be unpleasant working from home in the heat, there could be a simple solution
While office workers often enjoy working from home, many people will have been dreaming of their office air conditioning this week. With the heatwave came very hot conditions for most people stuck indoors, and there’s more of the same to look forward to as summer approaches.
One solution could be installing a fan in your home office. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the typical operating costs for 24 hours of use are between 15p and 31p in Great Britain and between 17p and 37p in Northern Ireland.
The team’s energy-saving experts explained: “Using a fan can be an inexpensive way to keep cool in hot weather. Rather than cooling the air directly, fans create air movement that helps sweat to evaporate, keeping you cool.
“More expensive tower, desktop and pedestal fans aren’t necessarily more efficient or cheaper to run than cheaper models. Bladeless fans, which are often the most expensive to buy, have similar running costs to other models. So, the type of fan you choose largely depends on personal preference.”
However, there’s an even cheaper solution that could be ideal for homeworkers who spend most of their time at their desk. Energy Saving Trust said: “Using a small USB fan on your desk can be a cheap way to stay cool while working at a computer.”
The savvy idea could impress homeowners who want to stay cool but keep costs low. But there are more options for those who prefer heavy-duty cooling appliances.
For instance, some people may choose to invest in a portable air conditioning unit. It’s worth noting there are additional costs, though, so it’s not the cheapest option.
Energy Saving Trust said: “Portable air conditioning units are significantly more expensive to buy than most fans and use much more energy. Running a portable air conditioning unit all day would cost almost 20 times as much as running a typical freestanding fan.
“Because air-con units use more energy than other cooling devices, running one also results in more CO2 emissions. If you do need to use air conditioning, make sure you get the right size unit for the room you’ll be cooling. Check that there are no gaps where the exhaust pipe goes out of the window, as this lets warm air back into the room.”
Other ways to keep cool include opening windows, but closing blinds and curtains. As the pros explain, it’s easier and cheaper to prevent heat from entering your home than to cool it down.
