Fans vs air conditioning
A desk fan is undeniably cheaper to run. But fans don't lower the room temperature, they simply move air and evaporate sweat from your skin so you feel cooler. Air conditioning actually removes heat and humidity from the room. A portable unit sits somewhere between the two, and not always where people expect: we have compared portable air conditioning against a fitted split honestly, physics and running costs included, in a separate guide.
| Appliance | Est. hourly cost* | 8-hour overnight | Cooling effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desk / pedestal fan (50W) | 1.3p to 1.5p | ~12p | Air circulation only |
| Modern split-unit AC (cooling) | 20p to 28p | £1.60 to £2.24 | Actively removes heat & humidity |
*Based on an estimated UK electricity tariff of 28p/kWh. Your real cost depends on the unit, the room and how hard it's working.
Work it out on your own tariff
The table above uses an average tariff, but your bill doesn't. Put your own rates in and see the real figure for your house.
Yes, air con costs more than a fan. But for many households (guaranteeing a full night's sleep, or protecting an older relative or a baby during a heatwave) the £1.50 to £2.00 overnight cost is easily justified. Those nights are also getting more common, which we have looked at properly in why Welsh summers are getting hotter.
Spreading the cost of installation
Running costs are one thing; the up-front install is another. We keep that flexible: pay in full for a 25% discount, or spread the cost interest-free over anything up to 12 months. Multi-room installs get a discount too: every extra room takes another 4% off the whole job, up to 20%. There's also 10% off for a household with a newborn, or for pensioners. For the full breakdown of what a typical job costs to fit, see our guide to what it costs to fit air conditioning in a South Wales terrace.
The quickest way to see real numbers for your home is the price builder: pick your property type and rooms and it works out an instant estimate.