Urgent warning over DIY fan hack – and what to do to stay cool instead
ANYONE hoping to stay cool in the hot weather with a popular fan hack could be putting themselves in danger.
Experts have warned that viral trends on TikTok showing DIY ways to make the devices more effective could instead pose a major risk.
The hack involves taping a frozen towel to the back of a fan. Tiktokers claim that it makes the air cooler.
But Electrical Safety First (ESF) has warned that doing this poses a serious safety risk.
Water near electrical items is a dangerous combination.
If the liquid comes into contact with the fan’s motor it can not only damage the device, but risks electric shock to anyone nearby too.
Another danger is that it adds extra weight which can short-circuit the fan.
Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at the organisation, said: “Yet again, we are seeing TikTok influencers who are demonstrating ‘heat hacks’ with their fans which are potentially unsafe.
“Placing a freezing towel on a plugged-in fan could destabilise the device and cause it to fall over, causing the blades to hit the guard and put the motor under pressure, and could even break the device altogether.
“The biggest risk comes from the towel, which would eventually thaw and become sopping wet.
“Water and electricity do not mix and, by copying this hack, water could come into contact with the motor or the plug and its socket, increasing the risk of an electric shock.”
The charity has previously warned of the danger of hanging bags of ice near fans as they pose a similar risk.
Another hack of putting a bowl of ice in front or behind fans has become popular too.
Social media posts show people claiming that it creates an air conditioning effect for free.
While the hack is less risky because the ice is at a distance from the fan, the experts at ESF said it’s unlikely the hack will have much effect.
That’s because a bowl of ice won’t hold enough energy to cool down an entire room.
In fact, a fan doesn’t cool down the air around you or the room – it just makes you feel cooler when you’re in front of it.
Many people think a fan does cool the room you’re in – like an electric heater warms it up.
ESF recommends avoiding any hack involving water and electrics, however low the risk, and to use fans as intended.
Other things to avoid when using a fan include leaving it on overnight.
That’s because you may not notice if there’s a fault when you’re sleeping.
When your fan is running, always leave it on a flat surface rather than balancing on the edge and make sure to clear any dust build up regularly to avoid straining the motor or overheating.
It also pays to take notice of any warning signs of faults like a buzzing or other unusual sound, or the smell of burning.
When buying a fan you should always make sure you buy from a reputable seller.
Avoiding the fan hack doesn’t mean you can’t find other ways to stay cool though – and save cash.
Here’s what you can do instead.
Put it in the correct place
Having your fan close to the wall, or directed at it, could prevent the air from circulating around it.
That means it’s likely to be running less effectively than it could be.
Energy expert Nicholas Auckland at Trade Radiators previously told The Sun: “Having a fan pointing into the corner or the wall of a room is probably one of the main ways people can waste money when using their electric fan.
“The electric fan just circulates air instead of actually producing any cool air itself, so it’s important that the fan is pointing in the right direction and circulating the right air.”
Placing the fan in the centre of the room or facing inwards from the corner is the most effective location.
Use the right setting
Putting the fan at top speed isn’t always necessary.
Depending on the temperature you could still feel the breeze with a lower setting.
The less energy the device uses, the more energy you could save.
The average cost of running a 70w fan for 12 hours is just over 25p, but the exact cost depends on the make and model.
How often you use it, and at what level will also influence the running costs.
To see how much yours cost to run (and other devices around the home) you can use a smart plug.
These cost from as little as £8 and are placed between a socket and the plug of the device being measured.
A screen on the plug shows how much power the item is using, and they run on batteries so they don’t add more usage to your bill.
Smart meters can also help you track the cost of energy if you have one installed.
Turn it off
In the same way, you’re spending more than you need to if you leave the fan on when you’re not in front of it.
As it’s cooling you and not the room, it will save energy and money if you turn it off as soon as you leave the room.
Nicholas previously told The Sun: “There’s no point in having your electric fan on before you get into bed.
“This is because electric fans don’t actually create cold air to make a room colder.
“Instead they circulate air around the room which makes us feel cooler and helps our bodies cool down.”
Other options to stay cool
There are plenty of options that could also help you ditch the fan for good.
Instead, try freezing a hot water bottle to put in your sheets before you go to bed.
A cooling blanket is another way to avoid the heat at night, and you can pick one up for as little as £4.99 from Home Bargains.
If you’re buying a new item, remember to shop around to get the best deal.
Keeping your blinds or curtains shut can help keep the house cool on the hottest days.
And some experts say that putting tin foil can stop the sun’s rays from getting in – which can cost just a few pounds to put up.