Indoor air quality expert provides guide to choosing the right cooling solution for your home ahead of August heatwaves.
We’re not built to handle the heat in the UK, and neither are our homes. High temperatures already experienced this spring-summer left many households struggling to stay cool and the Met Office is predicting yet another heatwave next week.
With UK homes lacking widespread integrated air conditioning, portable cooling solutions are in high demand as our summers heat up.
Here, indoor air quality expert, Noel Fok of air treatment brand, EcoAir, shares tips on keeping cool through the summer heatwaves and explains how fans and portable air conditioners provide different solutions depending on the space you want to cool, your budget and your comfort goals.
Fans – how they work and when they’re best:
“On days when the outside breeze is non-existent, a good quality, low energy, quiet, electric fan is the most efficient way to keep air moving indoors to provide relief from the heat”, says Noel.
“Fans don’t lower the temperature of a room, but instead create airflow that can help to evaporate sweat, making us feel cooler even if the room air temperature remains warm. It’s this reaction between the moving air and our skin that cools us down.
“To maximise the cooling effect, you can try placing a bowl of icy water in front of the fan to help cool the air as it circulates.
“Whether it’s a traditional oscillating fan or a sleek tower model, fans suit a variety of spaces without taking up too much room. A space-saving tower fan can make a stylish statement for smaller rooms or more contemporary interiors and is easy to store when the weather inevitably turns.
“Modern fans have multiple features such as timers, quiet modes and numerous speed settings, allowing users to tailor airflow to their desires.
“Their low power consumption is a bonus. Typical usage is between 40-100W per hour, costing less than 3p per hour to run. Some of today’s oscillating fans use just 3.5 Watts per hour.
“Fans are also simple to use. Most are plug and play, making them ideal for anyone seeking quick relief from the heat on a budget.
“Whilst fans remain the go-to for good reason – affordable, lightweight, low noise levels, and easy to move from room to room – they circulate rather than cool the air, so in very high heat may only offer temporary relief.”
Portable Air Conditioners – How they work and when they’re best:
“The quickest and most effective solution to provide instant relief from the heat is a portable air conditioner. Air conditioning will immediately lower the indoor temperature and keep everyone inside cool and comfortable.
“Unlike fans, AC units actively lower room temperature using a refrigeration cycle. Warm air is drawn in, cooled over a refrigerant-filled cooling coil, and then released back into the room, whilst the heat extracted from the air is vented outdoors via an exhaust hose. This process makes AC units especially effective during extreme heat.
“Portable AC is a great option for UK homes – It avoids having to deal with the cost and disruption of installing a wall mounted unit, can be stored away on the 345+ days that the Great British weather is not hot, and it can be moved from room to room depending on where it is needed most.
“There’s a wider variety of portable AC options available than people may be aware of. Single hose units are compact and ideal for smaller rooms, whereas dual-hose models cool more efficiently and are designed for larger spaces.
“Many models also now offer multiple functions such as cooling, dehumidifying, and fan modes, that ensure optimal comfort according to need, whilst sleep settings provide consistent climate control without disturbing your peaceful slumber.
“Larger, more powerful and noisier than fans, AC units have a bad reputation for eating up energy. A standard sized AC unit consumes around 1000 watts of electricity per hour, losing to the fan on energy efficiency. However, there are low power options available, using just 510 to 700 Watts per hour – look out for the A+ Energy Efficiency Ratings.”
Though generally larger and louder than fans, today’s portable ACs offer a very effective way to stay cool at home.
Key considerations before you buy:
- Cooling power: fan (airflow) vs AC (actual cooling)
- Noise levels: Check decibels if you’re likely to use at night or in sociable spaces
- Energy consumption: Fans are cheaper to run per hour, but AC is more effective
- Size and portability: Fans win on space saving capabilities and portability, but newer AC models are becoming more compact
- Room suitability: Match the model to the space
Whether you are looking for a quick cool down option or a long-term solution to combat rising summer temperatures, fans and portable air conditioners both offer relief. The choice comes down to personal preference and need.
For more information, please visit: www.ecoair.org
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
- Please contact the EcoAir PR team at Rooster should you wish to test/review any EcoAir products
- Rooster can coordinate comment, interview and profile opportunities for EcoAir CEO & co-founder, Noel Fok
For further press information, please contact:
Elo Quitmann | Elsa Findlay | Julie Aguilera
Rooster.
T: +44 (0)203 440 8930
E: [email protected]
About EcoAir:
Founded in 2006 by Noel (CEO) and Sally Fok (Managing Director), EcoAir manufactures and supplies a range of innovative and environmentally friendly air treatment products.
Designed for use in the home, workplace or commercial spaces, the EcoAir product range includes dehumidifiers (offering the largest range of desiccant dehumidifiers in the UK), portable air conditioners, fans, air purifiers, and this year sees the introduction of an all-new industry category with a world-first air steriliser: the EcoAir AVS.
EcoAir is a brand synonymous with cleaner, fresher air. Its mission is to improve indoor air quality to ensure that everyone feels comfortable in their home or work environment and that the climate of living or work spaces is optimised to foster good overall health & wellbeing.
EcoAir is continually innovating in both design and service, always striving to improve products, maximise the practical benefits they offer, and ensure a seamless and positive customer experience.
Consistently delivering both on quality and performance, EcoAir dehumidifiers are award-winning. Most recent accolades include Good Housekeeping Institute 2024, Which? Best Buy 2024 and Indy Best 2023.
EcoAir products are designed and engineered in Britain and rank amongst the highest for performance and reliability. They can be purchased direct via the EcoAir UK website or Amazon, online at Currys, and from over 100 leading independent retailers.
EcoAir operates primarily in the UK and Europe.
For more information, please visit: www.ecoair.org
