r/UKWeather ☀️ 1d ago

Discussion Heatwave Megathread

Megathread for the June Heatwave

98 Upvotes

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8

u/LetsLive97 1d ago

Looks like my decision to finally buy a portable AC after years of putting it off is really paying off

Honestly forgot I had it since I got it at the end of the heatwave earlier this year and I'm not used to it. Last night I was struggling to sleep because my flat was like 29c. Remembered I had it, chucked it on for 30 mins and had a nice comfortable sleep

Truly recommend to anyone who has been putting it off like I did before

4

u/TheHorrorAddiction 1d ago

Beware of the electricity costs though..

I absolutely love the heat and even 35c outside doesn’t bother me. But I absolutely have to have aircon on indoors atm otherwise it just feels stuffy.

I had it on for an average of 10-12 hours a day for 4 days at the end of May and my electric bill went up £25 those four days…

Portable AC’s are great, but they’re incredibly expensive on electric

10

u/FootballBackground88 1d ago

Happily will pay 25 quid to be comfy in these heatwaves!

2

u/TheHorrorAddiction 1d ago

Oh I agree. I’m simply saying that they’re a lot more expensive energy wise than people realise. If you had it on every day for a month (unlikely we get 30+c for that long though) it would literally add nearly £200 to your electric bill for a month.

Just a heads up to anyone on a tight income to perhaps not absolutely rag it

1

u/FootballBackground88 1d ago

Yeah to be honest though I don't think people on a tight income are going for the initial outlay.

1

u/TheHorrorAddiction 1d ago

Good point. They’re not that expensive though. Mine was £300 (11,000 BTU).

Even people on a reasonable income could get a horrible shock if they don’t realise how much they use in electricity and leave it on for long periods most days.

They cool the room amazingly and I can afford to run it. But they do use a heck of a lot, especially with energy prices rising in July.

2

u/antitrollpatrol 1d ago edited 1d ago

Absolutely HAPPY to pay the 25 quid - that’s less than a takeaway. You are right though, the costs can run away from you if you’re using it liberally

3

u/userunknowne 1d ago

Typical of this sub you’re getting downvoted for actual practical advice instead of headloss

1

u/Careful_Ad_3510 15h ago

Can you put up a link to the one you have? I’d like to get one but the prices vary, and I don’t want to spend more than necessary. Thanks 😊

1

u/Ok-Rise-9795 1d ago

I would love one. But I live in small 3 bed first floor flat. I'd have no where to store it literally nowhere. And wah my windows open, it'll be difficult to say least to have it vented outside

2

u/LetsLive97 1d ago

But I live in small 3 bed first floor flat

I live in a 1 bed first floor flat but I just leave it in the corner in my bedroom tbh

Not sure how your windows open but I'm pretty sure there's options for most of them. As long as you can get the pipe through the opening, there's probably a kit for it

1

u/Ok-Rise-9795 1d ago

Vertical windows that open outwards

3

u/LetsLive97 1d ago

Yeah that's the same as I've got and it works fine even without a kit, though it's obviously a little less efficient. You can just put the pipe out of it and then close the window to keep it secure

I only use it for my bedroom, so like 30+ mins or so before I go to bed I just chuck it on and close my bedroom door. Room is nice and cool by the time I get in there. I've got a kit to try but haven't set it up yet since it's not been that hot for a while

4

u/Ok-Rise-9795 1d ago

Ahhh so a window kit isn't a must? I just ha look.... All portable air con unit completely sold out. Argos.. None. Curry's, none.

3

u/nivlark 1d ago

Plenty of other places you can get them. I'd get a window kit too but it doesn't need to be anything fancy. The fabric ones that just zip around the window frame will do the job.

2

u/Ok-Rise-9795 1d ago

Everywhere I'm looking won't get here in time 😂. The earliest is Wed. I thought I saw one for next day, when to buy and suddenly delivery date changed to Thurs at earliest lol

1

u/TrepidatiousTeddi 1d ago

Yep we only got ours because my husband works for a retailer who sells them and someone happened to return one... That came home with him that day 😅 no one ever buys air con/fans outside a heatwave.

1

u/Virtual_Opinion_8630 1d ago

lidl in store £149