Keep cool while working with expert’s ‘cheap’ office tip

While office workers frequently relish working from home, many will have been longing for their workplace air conditioning this week. The heatwave brought sweltering conditions for most people confined indoors. While temperatures are expected to return to near-normal levels soon, there could be more heatwaves on the way this summer.

Installing a fan in your home office could provide relief. 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 Trust’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 more economical solution that could suit homeworkers, reports the Mirror. 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 tip could help save pennies for homeowners looking to lower their energy bills. Others may choose to invest in heavy-duty cooling appliances.

For instance, some homeowners might prefer to invest in a portable air conditioning unit, especially if there are a few people working from the property. However, it is a pricier solution.

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.”

The experts said to keep internal doors closed when an air conditioning unit is running. This is to prevent warm air from getting in from other areas of the home.