As the weather heats up, many of us have been reaching for appliances to keep us cool. But, fans, air-conditioning units and garden heaters - for when the evenings get chilly - could be wasting some households hundreds of pounds a month!

Summer energy stealers

Running a fan can cost anywhere between 15p and 31p for 24 hours of continuous use. For a family of four, each using a 40W fan overnight, this could add around £10 per month, or £30 over the Summer, to the household energy bill. When choosing a fan, think carefully about the space you want to cool. If you just need something for home working, a tabletop or USB fan will be far cheaper to run than a large tower fan. Using a fan that’s too powerful for your needs will only waste energy and money. A word of warning for those opting for the extra cooling power of an AC unit to keep cool during the warmer summer days - running costs can vary between 18p and £1.29 for just one hour of use.

Planning a summer BBQ? Keep an eye on hidden energy costs. An electric barbecue costs around 57p per hour to run, and that extra beer fridge in the shed could add up to £100 to your bill if you forget to turn it off!

If you decide to have a dip in the hot tub, be prepared: an inflatable hot tub with little insulation can cost up to £1,500 to run over the summer. And when the evening gets chilly, think twice before switching on your garden heater. A 1,500W heater used for two hours each night over summer could add around £70 to your energy costs.

Cost of keeping cool

Steve Buckley, Head of Data Science at Loop, explains:   

“As we see the first patch of warm weather, many of us will be looking for ways to stay cool, but it’s important to consider how much some of this equipment could be adding to your bills.  

“At first glance, these costs may not seem that high on an hourly basis, but they can really add up if you’ve got a few devices running or you forget to switch them off. And many households need to do everything they can to lower their energy bills at the moment. 

“Monitoring your energy usage on these cooling items by connecting Loop – the energy saving app - to your smart meter is key to making savings. The free Loop Snoop can help you easily identify the culprits draining your energy and adding pounds to your bills.”

What can you do to lower the temperature of your home and your bill?

1. The first might seem obvious, but simply remember to turn off your cooling devices when you’re not using them. You don’t need to sacrifice your comfort. Just using your things more efficiently can help you save.
2. Have a cool shower. Not only will it cool you down in hot weather, but you’ll use a lot less energy from heating the water too. 
3. Keep your blinds and curtains closed during the day to block out direct sunlight. It will keep your home feeling cooler naturally. 
4. Avoid using the oven; you’ll be creating more heat inside your home. Instead, opt for a cold dinner or use the air fryer - they’re more energy-efficient! 
5. Use an energy-saving app like Loop! Monitoring your energy use will help you spot any cooling devices you might have left on before they add considerably to your bill.

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