Latest news with #USwitch
Rhyl Journal
5 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Best ways to stay connected with festival phone signal
The inevitable challenge of patchy mobile reception can be a tough one as well as keeping your device charged and safe. That's why experts at USwitch have shared their tips on how to stay festival savvy with your phone. Due to overcrowding and limited network capacity, phone signals can often drop out - just like at concerts and large sporting events, too. Firstly, check to see if your festival has a partnered with a provider. Mobile providers usually set up extra temporary 4G and 5G masts at the festival site, which works like a mobile phone booster, just on much larger scale. 'These masts mean that the network can handle more people using data, making calls and sending messages at once,' Uswitch mobiles expert, Ernest Doku said. Some festivals partner with a mobile provider to provide enhanced connectivity to attendees, for instance, Glastonbury is partnered with Vodaphone. So you could use a VOXI or Lebara SIM as they run off Vodafone's network. Mr Doku continued: 'It's simple and cheap to make use of this hack even if you're with a different provider. 'You can buy a one-month rolling eSIM for as little as £6 for 5GB of data and you can cancel at any time, although you will need to pay for a month minimum. 'Plus, eSIMs are entirely digital, allowing for quick setup, and most phones support having two numbers simultaneously, so you don't have to cancel your existing plan if you don't want to. 'You can even do this hack for free if you don't mind waiting until you're at the festival. 'For example, Three and Vodafone offer free eSIM trails at festivals they collaborate with.' Other tips include: USwitch suggests looking into a 'festival phone' that can be an older device or low-cost 4G SIM free one to make sure you're in touch with friends if you lose them. If you're going to a multi-day festival, battery packs are a must when packing for a festival. For around £20, you can get your hands on a 20,000mAh power bank with more than enough juice to charge a smartphone multiple times. Make sure your phone's geo-location is turned on. It'll help your friends find you quickly if you get separated. Write your mates' phone numbers on a small bit of paper. If your phone dies or goes missing, you can borrow someone else's and still get in touch. Most festivals will have an official app which will include a wealth of information to help you get the most out of your experience. You can use it to check set times, plan your day, and avoid clashes between must-see acts. Recommended reading: Will Glastonbury be on in 2026 or is it a fallow year? Glastonbury Festival's drink prices revealed - including cheapest pint Full list of banned items attendees can't take into Glastonbury 2025 It is advised that you invest in a phone lanyard to make sure it is always attached to you. It's also suggested to put a small, simple lock on your backpack or bag, at least on the pocket with your phone and wallet. Avoid keeping it in easily accessible pockets, especially back pockets, as this makes it an easy target for theft.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Cheapest air conditioning units that cost from 2p per hour to run and keep your home cool
We've rounded up the cheapest air conditioners and air coolers - and they could cost you less than a fan. COOLING DOWN Cheapest air conditioning units that cost from 2p per hour to run and keep your home cool WITH temperatures ramping up across the UK in recent weeks, you've probably been pulling out all the stops to try to keep your home cool. And if you're thinking of scrapping your fan for something more sophisticated this summer, there are multiple air conditioning and air cooler units available right now on the high street and online. 7 We've rounded up the cheapest air con units and air coolers to keep your home cool When it comes to running costs, USwitch estimates that it will set you back around 27p an hour to run a typical portable air conditioning unit. This would work out at £2.46 a day if you were to leave it on for nine hours. If you're looking for a cheaper option, an air cooler costs between 2-5p to run per hour on average - or up to 45p per day - according to Air Con Centre. If you're looking to invest for the summer, we've rounded up the cheapest air con and air cooler units to keep your space cool this summer. What's the difference between an air conditioner and air cooler? MANY people are unaware that there's a big difference between air conditioners and an air coolers - so it's important to know exactly what you're paying for. Air coolers tend to be more affordable than air conditioners, with prices for smaller models starting from as little as £10. They work by drawing in warm air and sending it through a wet pad, causing the water to evaporate and cooling the air. Air conditioners, on the other hand, remove heat from the air by using cold coils to cool it down, before recirculating the air with internal fans. Air coolers don't require any outside ventilation, whereas air conditioners must be vented, normally through an exhaust hose. While an air cooler will cost you less than an aircon unit, air conditioners can lower the temperature far more compared to an air cooler, according to ProBreeze. Air coolers B&Q's Marco Paul Portable Air Cooler - £9.99 7 B&Q's Marco Paul Portable Air Cooler is selling for less than a tenner Credit: At less than £10, B&Q's Marco Paul Portable Air Cooler Unit is a cheaper option than many desktop and standing fans. The unit comes with three settings so you can adjust the temperature to your preference, and it's compact enough (16 x 17cm) that you can sit it on an office desk or bedside table. It will run for up to 12 hours and comes with a USB charger, making it perfect for travelling. There's also a night light function, which provides a relaxing glow after dark. Watch Dyson's Hot+Cool air-purifying fan in action – including 'sleep' mode Aldi's Ambiano Air Cooler - £39.99 7 The Ambiano Air Cooler is selling for less than £40 at Aldi Credit: Aldi Budget supermarket Aldi recently added air cooler units to its middle aisle, perfect if you're looking to keep your space cool on a budget. The Ambiano Air Cooler will set you back just £39.99, and is equipped with three speed levels with a water tank capacity of 5.5 litres. The retailer says it's suitable for rooms up to 108 square feet, and also features a touch panel and LED display. It's also easy to move around your home with carrying handles on the sides and four wheels for "easy transportation". The unit is currently in stores, but you'll have to be quick as it's only available while stocks last. Curry's Beldray Portable Air Cooler - £59.99 7 The Beldray EH3187 6-Litre Portable Air Cooler is available from Curry's Credit: Aldi Curry's has recently reduced its Beldray EH3187 6-Litre Portable Air Cooler to under £60, from £84.99. The device has three speed settings, and it also purifies the air in your space. The six-litre water tank is easy to refill, either from the drawer or the top, and the wheels and carry handle make it a good portable option. Air conditioning units Homebase's HOMCOM 4 in 1 Air Conditioner - £134.00 7 The HOMCOM Black 5000BTU 4 in 1 Air Conditioner in Homebase Credit: Home base The HOMCOM Black 5000BTU 4 in 1 Air Conditioner is currently on sale at Homebase with £65 off. The cooling unit has been reduced from £199 to £134, and is available both online and in stores. Homebase says the multi-functional unit can help you stay cool and comfortable all summer long, and is perfect for unpredictable weather. It features four different modes - cooling, ventilating, dehumidifying, and a sleep mode which gently increases the air temperature overnight for a comfortable sleep. The portable unit also automatically shuts off when the tank is full, preventing overfilling and damage. The same unit is also available at other retailers but for a higher price, including Amazon for £189.99, and B&Q for £169.99. Amazon's Daewoo Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit - £149.99 7 The Daewoo Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit is £149.99 on Amazon Credit: Amazon Amazon has reduced its Daewoo 5000 BTU Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit to almost half price. The portable unit is reduced to £149.99 from £279.99, offering £130 off. It comes with an LED display and remote control, as well as two fan speed settings, making it perfect for keeping your home or office cool in the hot weather. As well as a cooling fan, it also operates as a dehumidifier for the perfect room temperature. Dunelm's Tower 3-in-1 Air Conditioner - £219 7 Dunelm is offering the Tower 3-in-1 Air Conditioner for £219 Credit: Dunelm The Tower 5000BTU 3-in-1 Air Conditioner offers three different functions - a cooling, fan and dehumidifying function, and is available at Dunelm for £219. It also features a sleep mode, which will turn the appliance off after six hours, using less energy for a comfortable sleep. It stands at 70cm in height, 33cm in width and 28cm in depth, while it also has a manufacturer guarantee of two years. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@ Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
The Sun
10 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Cheapest air conditioning units that cost from 2p per hour to run and keep your home cool
WITH temperatures ramping up across the UK in recent weeks, you've probably been pulling out all the stops to try to keep your home cool. And if you're thinking of scrapping your fan for something more sophisticated this summer, there are multiple air conditioning and air cooler units available right now on the high street and online. 7 When it comes to running costs, USwitch estimates that it will set you back around 27p an hour to run a typical portable air conditioning unit. This would work out at £2.46 a day if you were to leave it on for nine hours. If you're looking for a cheaper option, an air cooler costs between 2-5p to run per hour on average - or up to 45p per day - according to Air Con Centre. If you're looking to invest for the summer, we've rounded up the cheapest air con and air cooler units to keep your space cool this summer. What's the difference between an air conditioner and air cooler? MANY people are unaware that there's a big difference between air conditioners and an air coolers - so it's important to know exactly what you're paying for. Air coolers tend to be more affordable than air conditioners, with prices for smaller models starting from as little as £10. They work by drawing in warm air and sending it through a wet pad, causing the water to evaporate and cooling the air. Air conditioners, on the other hand, remove heat from the air by using cold coils to cool it down, before recirculating the air with internal fans. Air coolers don't require any outside ventilation, whereas air conditioners must be vented, normally through an exhaust hose. While an air cooler will cost you less than an aircon unit, air conditioners can lower the temperature far more compared to an air cooler, according to ProBreeze. Air coolers B&Q's Marco Paul Portable Air Cooler - £9.99 At less than £10, B&Q's Marco Paul Portable Air Cooler Unit is a cheaper option than many desktop and standing fans. The unit comes with three settings so you can adjust the temperature to your preference, and it's compact enough (16 x 17cm) that you can sit it on an office desk or bedside table. It will run for up to 12 hours and comes with a USB charger, making it perfect for travelling. There's also a night light function, which provides a relaxing glow after dark. Watch Dyson's Hot+Cool air-purifying fan in action – including 'sleep' mode Aldi's Ambiano Air Cooler - £39.99 Budget supermarket Aldi recently added air cooler units to its middle aisle, perfect if you're looking to keep your space cool on a budget. The Ambiano Air Cooler will set you back just £39.99, and is equipped with three speed levels with a water tank capacity of 5.5 litres. The retailer says it's suitable for rooms up to 108 square feet, and also features a touch panel and LED display. It's also easy to move around your home with carrying handles on the sides and four wheels for "easy transportation". The unit is currently in stores, but you'll have to be quick as it's only available while stocks last. Curry's Beldray Portable Air Cooler - £59.99 Curry's has recently reduced its Beldray EH3187 6-Litre Portable Air Cooler to under £60, from £84.99. The device has three speed settings, and it also purifies the air in your space. The six-litre water tank is easy to refill, either from the drawer or the top, and the wheels and carry handle make it a good portable option. Air conditioning units Homebase's HOMCOM 4 in 1 Air Conditioner - £134.00 7 The HOMCOM Black 5000BTU 4 in 1 Air Conditioner is currently on sale at Homebase with £65 off. The cooling unit has been reduced from £199 to £134, and is available both online and in stores. Homebase says the multi-functional unit can help you stay cool and comfortable all summer long, and is perfect for unpredictable weather. It features four different modes - cooling, ventilating, dehumidifying, and a sleep mode which gently increases the air temperature overnight for a comfortable sleep. The portable unit also automatically shuts off when the tank is full, preventing overfilling and damage. The same unit is also available at other retailers but for a higher price, including Amazon for £189.99, and B&Q for £169.99. Amazon's Daewoo Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit - £149.99 7 Amazon has reduced its Daewoo 5000 BTU Portable 3-in-1 Air Conditioning Unit to almost half price. The portable unit is reduced to £149.99 from £279.99, offering £130 off. It comes with an LED display and remote control, as well as two fan speed settings, making it perfect for keeping your home or office cool in the hot weather. As well as a cooling fan, it also operates as a dehumidifier for the perfect room temperature. Dunelm's Tower 3-in-1 Air Conditioner - £219 The Tower 5000BTU 3-in-1 Air Conditioner offers three different functions - a cooling, fan and dehumidifying function, and is available at Dunelm for £219. It also features a sleep mode, which will turn the appliance off after six hours, using less energy for a comfortable sleep. It stands at 70cm in height, 33cm in width and 28cm in depth, while it also has a manufacturer guarantee of two years. .
The Sun
5 days ago
- Climate
- The Sun
Hot weather appliances that are adding to your energy bills this summer – and the cheaper alternatives
SOME of your favourite hot weather appliances and gadgets could be guzzling through energy and seeing your bills shoot up this summer. Households are basking in glorious sunshine across the UK with some facing record-breaking temperatures for the second day running. A number of areas are expected to have passed the heatwave criteria this afternoon too, according to the Met Office. But while many of us rejoice at the idea of basking in the sun, plenty will be looking for ways to keep cool during the day and night. Some of those hot weather appliances designed to keep temperatures down can end up churning through energy though. USwitch has revealed just how much some of them could be costing you per hour. The full list is in the table above, but we've listed some of the most costly ones below. Aircon unit (built in) - £40 Air-con units are great at keeping you cool overnight, but are some of the most fuel-guzzling appliances out there. Under the current price cap, a 2,700 watt built in air con unit costs you a whopping 73p an hour to run. Used for just eight hours overnight that's £5.84, or £40.88 based on eight hours of use night over seven days. Aircon unit (portable) - £15 Portable aircon units work similarly to built in ones, except they are, as the name suggests, portable. They are generally cheaper to run than built in units, but still churn through your energy. Under the current price cap, a 1,000 watt unit costs around 27p to run per hour. How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills Over eight hours that's £2.16, or £15.12 based on eight hours a night over seven days. Dehumidifier - £2.80 Dehumidifiers can keep you cool by sucking in moisture from the surrounding area - but be wary of the costs. A 12-litre size 185 watt unit will cost you around 5p an hour to run under the current price cap, according to Uswitch. That's 40p over eight hours or £2.80 based on eight hours of usage a day for a week. Air cooler cube - £1.28 Air cooler cubes work similarly to air conditioning units but are generally smaller and more portable. They're cheaper to run than their larger cousins as well, but leave one on for long enough and costs can still rack up. Uswitch said under the current price cap, a 75 watt model will set you back 2p an hour to run - 16p over an eight hours time period. Based on eight hours of usage a day over seven days, that's £1.28. Ceiling fan - £1.28 7 Ceiling fans work by pushing air downwards, accelerating the evaporation of sweat from your skin. But they're not exactly the cheapest appliances to run, especially if you're using them on the regular. A 75 watt model uses around 2p an hour to run, under the current price cap, or 16p over an eight hours time period. Stacked up over seven days and you'll be forking out £1.28. Desktop fan - 50p 7 There's nothing like the cool breeze from a desktop fan, but they'll eat through your energy. A 35 watt appliance costs 0.9p to run per hour, which is 7.2p over eight hours, and 50p stacked up over a week. Pedestal fan - 90p Pedestal fans, due to them being larger than desktop fans, are more costly to run per hour. Uswitch said a 60 watt model costs 1.62p to run an hour, which is 12.96p over eight hours and roughly 90p based on eight hours seven days a week. Cheaper ways to keep cool There are other effective ways to keep cool that cost absolutely nothing. Checkatrade insulation expert Lee West told The Sun earlier this week even the way you open windows can keep your home cooler. During the evening, he said, open windows on opposite sides of your property to create a cross-breeze. This so-called "night-flush ventilation" allows cooler air to circulate around your home and trapped heat inside to escape. Hanging already damp sheets in front of open windows or in the path of a fan can create a cooling effect too. Even placing your mattress directly on the floor instead of on a bed frame can keep you from overheating overnight as well. Staying safe in the sun While warmer weather can be fun, it is important to stay safe and avoid over heating - here are some other top tips to stay safe in the sun Wear clothes and sunglasses that provide sun protection The NHS website recommends wearing a hat that shades the face, neck and ears and breathable fabrics that do not let the sunlight through. Drink water Staying hydrated in the warmer weather is also important. Be sure to carry a water bottle with you if you are travelling and taking sips throughout the day. Use suncream According to the NHS webiste, adults should aim to apply around 6 to 8 teaspoons of sunscreen if you're covering your entire body. If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is not as effective If you're worried you might not be applying enough SPF30, you could use a sunscreen with a higher SPF. .
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Energy Debt with Iona Bain
Here are some handy links with more information on managing your energy debt:Here, external is a link to Citizens Advice where you can find a list of grants that are available from different energy providers. Here, external is a link to a USwitch guide on how to read you energy bill, including where to find the amount of energy you've used.
