BRITS have turned to fans in their masses to keep cool during the current heat wave.
However, the prime time to purchase your appliance may not be when you think.
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According to research for The Sun, by Idealo, you could save up to £409 on your cooling gadgets by purchasing them in the colder months.
We looked at price data over the past year to find out when these appliances tend to be cheapest to buy.
Data from Idealo shows that buying a high value fan in January instead of during the warmer months could save you up to £353.
The average price for a top-spec fan peaked on May 31 at £568, but plummeted to just £215 in January.
Of course, not everyone is in the market for a designer cooling device.
Our own research suggests that if your fan budget is roughly £35 you’ll still pay less for the device in the cooler months.
When looking at three basic desk fans on Amazon – the cheapest time to buy was any month except from June and July.
If you were to fork out for your fan in these two summer months, you’d pay at least £5-10 more on average.
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For example, you’d have to spend £22 for Olypa’s basic three speed desk fan in you were to buy it in the height of the summer. But, in the past it’s been priced down to £16 in the cooler months of September, October, November and December.
If a fan won’t keep you cool and you’re in need of an air conditioner then the best time to grab a bargain is October 22 – giving you an average saving of £409.
The average A/C unit cost £705 in July 4, Idealo said, but dropped all the way down to £296 in October.
In general the biggest savings on these two devices come if you wait until the colder months. But, keep in mind that new deals and sales may pop up anytime.
The prices of air purifying fans remain more stable throughout the year but you could still save £70 if you were to buy one in January instead of June.
But just because these products were cheaper in other months before, it doesn’t mean the savings will be similar this year.
To get the best price it’s a good idea to shop around before you make a purchase.
While the weather remains warm it’s common that prices will rise with the demand to keep cool.
It’s also wise to keep in mind of the costs of running these appliances, especially when energy costs are sky-rocketing.
How else can I keep cool without breaking the bank?
Shutting curtains and blinds during the day can help the house stay cool, while opening the windows on both sides of your home can create airflow.
Some including TikTok star That Property Guy, recommend cooling your sheets in the freezer to keep you cooler at night.
He also recommends avoiding using the oven and turning off appliances which are not in use as they kick off heat too, even on standby.
You can even reverse the use of hot water bottles by putting them in the freezer.
