SEARCHES FOR COOLING DEVICES SOAR AS BRITS SEEK ENERGY-EFFICIENT OPTIONS, EXPERTS REVEAL HOW TO USE THEM MORE EFFICIENTLY

• Amazon searches for air conditioning units have increased by 6,200% in the last 12 months 

• Google searches for "how much would it cost to install air conditioning" have increased by 600% in the last year

• Dyson and Shark remain the most searched fan brands, but more affordable options like JML are trending

• Uswitch.com offers tips on how to use your fan and air conditioning unit more effectively.

As the UK braces for another heatwave this summer, demand for air conditioning units and fans has soared. New research from Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service, reveals a surge in interest for cooling products, with some devices seeing a staggering 6,200% increase in searches over the last 12 months[1]. 

The number of UK homes with air conditioning has increased, with an estimated 3.7 million households now having air conditioning units, a 68% increase from 2022[2]. This reflects the growing demand for longer-term solutions to the warmer weather.

Table: The most in-demand cooling products on Amazon and Google.

Source: Uswitch.com

Google searches for "how much would it cost to install air conditioning" have increased by a staggering 600% over the last 12 months. Similarly, Amazon searches for "air-condition fan" have increased by 700% over the past year[3]. This trend suggests that Brits are considering more permanent ways to stay cool at home.

Table: The most trending fan devices on Google, Amazon and eBay

Source: Uswitch.com

New search data from energy experts at Uswitch, reveals a significant surge in cooling solutions across Google, Amazon, and eBay. Premium products from Dyson and Shark dominate across each platform. The brands are known for their high-tech and high-performance products, demonstrating consumer interest in more efficient cooling products. 

On eBay, Dyson and Shark dominate the search volumes as consumers are looking for cheaper second-hand versions of more expensive models. Interestingly, JML has seen spikes in search demand, with increases of over 300% for some products. This suggests a rising interest in smaller, portable and potentially more energy-efficient options[4]. The growth in these small products is likely fuelled by rising energy costs and the desire to find a smaller unit to fit in their home.

Air conditioning vs. fans: which is cheaper?

Research from Uswitch found that households in the UK were spending up to a staggering £6,063 powering air conditioning units, which is £116.6 per week[5]. In comparison, the cost of running alternative versions is significantly lower:

• Desktop fan (£1.20  per week)

• Portable air con unit (£43.40 per week)

• Built-in air conditioning system (£116.60 per week)

Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch.com, comments: "As more people turn to air conditioning and fans to keep cool over the summer, it's important to understand the energy impact of these choices. 

"Using an air conditioning system during a heatwave might leave you with a hefty bill. Fans remain the most cost-effective option. There are some simple tricks you can use to keep the temperature down inside your home without using as much energy." 

Uswitch's top tips for using your fan and air conditioning unit more efficiently:

1. Choosing the right placement. Thoughtful fan placement can optimise its efficiency and keep your home cool. Putting them in the wrong location could drive up the cost of running due to inefficient placement. The best place to place a fan is in front of an open window, facing the interior of the room.

2. Clean the blades. It's key that you avoid dusty areas and keep your fan clean, as excess dust and debris could make it work harder. Cleaning the blades frequently can help the fan run more efficiently.

3. Reduce fan speed. Use the fan on high speed initially to help cool a room faster. When the room is cool enough, set the fan to medium or low speed to save energy.

4. Choose the right fan size. It might be tempting to order a bigger fan, but smaller rooms and spaces benefit from smaller fans. This will reduce the use of unnecessary energy.

If you do opt for an air conditioning unit, there are some things you can do to help manage the cost of the unit:
1. Choose an energy-efficient unit. Research air conditioning units and choose the system that has great energy efficiency credentials. These units might be more expensive, but the reduction in running costs will pay off over time.

2. Install the right size unit for your room or home. If the unit is too big, you will end up wasting energy. Similarly, if your air conditioning unit is too small, it will work overtime to keep the room cool, which will reduce efficiency.

3. Use energy-saving mode. Most units will come with an energy-saving mode and timers - keep the temperature consistent to help with efficiency and lower costs.

4. Keep up maintenance. Ensure that you change the air conditioning unit filters every six months to maintain efficiency. You should also keep the coils clean and dust the vents regularly.