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Fan, portable, installed or rented — what actually fits?
The honest matrix we wish existed when we started. Including the option that costs £30 and the days it's genuinely the right answer.
| Criteria | Fan | Portable AC explore → | Split AC explore → | Rental explore → |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | £20–£80 | £300–£700 | £1,200–£2,500 installed | £49–£99/week |
| Running cost (typical hour) | ~1–2p | ~27–30p | ~10–22p | as portable |
| Actually lowers room temperature | No — moves air only | Yes | Yes, best-in-class | Yes |
| Works above 35°C | Counterproductive | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Noise where you sleep | 30–50 dB | 50–65 dB | 19–30 dB | 50–65 dB |
| Installation needed | None | None — window kit | Certified engineer | None — delivered |
| Landlord/freeholder consent | No | No | Usually yes | No |
| Renters-friendly | Yes | Yes | Rarely | Yes |
| Heats in winter too | No | Rarely | Yes (heat pump) | No |
| Best for | Mild days, air movement | Fast, flexible room cooling | Every-summer comfort, bedrooms | Short-term & events |
Figures are typical UK ranges at time of writing; running costs assume ~27p/kWh. Full arithmetic in our running-costs guide.
Thirty-second decision guide
It's 24–28°C, mostly bearable: a decent fan plus the free tactics (shading, night flushing) is genuinely enough. Save your money — we mean it.
You rent, or need cooling this month: portable. No consent, no installation, effective. Size it with the calculator first.
You own, and this is every summer now: split installation. Quietest, cheapest to run, heats in winter — the investment that closes the topic.
Sharp short need — event, exams, visitors: rental. Delivered, collected, done.
Decided? Reserve it before the rush.
Whichever you choose, the same refundable £10 puts you in the priority queue for your postcode.
Fully refundable · Credited toward your purchase · Cancel anytime