---
title: "Keeping cool | Home Comfort Lab"
description: "What fans and portable air conditioners cost to run, which to buy, and how to keep a home and a bedroom cool in a UK heatwave."
url: https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/cool/
---

# Keeping cool

What fans and portable air conditioners cost to run, which to buy, and how to keep a home and a bedroom cool in a UK heatwave.

Running costs use the current price cap of **26.32p per kWh**. In a heatwave, check the [NHS advice on coping in hot weather](https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/heatwave-how-to-cope-in-hot-weather/), especially for babies, older people and anyone with a long-term health condition.

![A bedroom on a hot afternoon with curtains drawn against the sun and a pedestal fan blowing air towards the bed.](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/images/scenes/cool.svg)

## Running costs

- [Fan and portable air conditioner running costs](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/cool/fan-and-air-conditioner-running-costs/)
  What fans, portable air conditioners and evaporative coolers cost per hour and per summer month at the current price cap.
- [Appliance running cost calculator](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/tools/running-cost-calculator/)
  Find out what any electric appliance costs per hour, day, month and winter at the current UK price cap.

## Buying guides

- [Portable air conditioner vs fan: which do you need?](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/cool/portable-air-conditioner-vs-fan/)
  What fans and portable air conditioners each do, what they cost to run, and which suits a UK home.
- [Best fan for a bedroom](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/cool/best-fan-for-bedroom/)
  Which fans are quiet enough to sleep with, cheapest to run overnight, and right for the size of your room.

## Staying cool

- [How to keep a bedroom cool in a heatwave](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/cool/how-to-keep-a-bedroom-cool/)
  When to open and close windows, how to use a fan properly, and what helps you sleep when the night stays hot.
- [Do evaporative air coolers work in the UK?](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/cool/do-evaporative-coolers-work/)
  How air coolers work, why they struggle in humid weather, and when a fan or air conditioner is the better buy.

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As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links to shops are marked, and earning from them never decides what we recommend. [How this site is paid for](https://homecomfortlab.co.uk/affiliate-disclosure/).

Running costs use 26.32p per kWh for electricity and 7.97p per kWh for gas, the [Ofgem price cap, Direct Debit average for England, Scotland and Wales](https://ofgem.gov.uk/news/changes-energy-price-cap-between-1-october-and-31-december-2026) for 1 October to 31 December 2026.