Best time to buy a fan or air conditioner

Verdict: Buy off-season if you can, and avoid the first heat wave. Demand pushes prices up exactly when you want one.

The best time to buy a fan or air conditioner is usually not when you feel hot. Prices and stock tend to be best in late summer, when stores clear leftovers, and in winter, when nobody is looking. Dates and sales change each year, so check the retailer for the current offer.

When do fans and air conditioners get cheaper?

In general:

• Late summer to early fall. Stores clear stock to make room for fall goods.
• Winter. Prices are often steady or lower because demand is low. Stock can be thin.
• Spring. Some stores run early promotions, but the best models start to sell out as the weather warms.

During a heat wave, prices often stay firm and popular sizes sell out. The wait costs more than the sale saves.

How do you pick the right size?

For air conditioners, cooling power is shown in BTU. Too small and it will run all day. Too large and it may cool unevenly. A general rule is that bigger rooms need higher BTU, but the manufacturer's chart is the guide to use. Check the room size, the sun exposure and the ceiling height.

For fans, think about where it goes and how loud it can be. Tower fans suit bedrooms. Box fans suit windows. Larger rooms may need more than one.

Should you buy a fan or an air conditioner?

A fan moves air. It makes you feel cooler but does not lower the room temperature. An air conditioner cools the air and costs more to buy and to run.

• Pick a fan if the heat is mild and you only need relief during part of the day.
• Pick an air conditioner if the room gets uncomfortably hot, if sleep suffers or if you have a medical reason to avoid heat. Ask a doctor if heat is a health concern.

Many people use both: a fan to move air and a small air conditioner for the hottest weeks.

A worked example

These numbers are round and made up. A bedroom is 120 square feet. A small window unit costs $250 in July and $200 in September, as the price history shows. Over the summer, the saving from waiting is $50, but you might sit through two hot weeks. If heat is a health risk, buy now. If it is a nuisance, a fan can bridge the gap.

What does the price history say?

Use the three-step check from how to check price history before you buy. Look at the last 30 days, the last 90 days and last season's low. Many models sell out before the low arrives, so consider two or three options and set a target for each.

What else should you check?

• Running cost. Look at the energy rating or the maker's wattage and compare models.
• Install needs. Window units need the right window. Portable units need a hose and a vent.
• Noise. Reviews often mention noise. It matters in a bedroom.
• Return window. Large items can be hard to return, so read the terms for shipping and restocking fees.

Common mistakes

• Waiting until the heat wave.
• Buying the wrong size.
• Ignoring running cost.
• Skipping the install check.

For the wider pattern, see the best time to buy 10 common things.

How can you keep cool while you wait?

If you are waiting for a price drop, a few habits help. Close curtains on the sunny side during the day. Open windows at night and use a fan to pull cooler air in. Avoid using the oven in the hottest hours. These are general tips, and they do not replace cooling when heat is dangerous. Check your local health agency's page on heat safety, especially for older adults, young children and anyone with a medical condition.

A quick ruling

Wait if you can stay comfortable. Buy now if heat affects your health or sleep.