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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to be fed up with using fans at night

129 replies

Bbbuuu · 10/07/2026 22:19

I am getting sick n tired of this hot weather. I just want a few days of sleeping without fans on in my room. Fortunately I am using ear plugs to reduce the noise. I want to sleep under covers not on top of my bed.

Live in a first floor flat where I can’t do much due to space and the fact it’s a flat.

Im following the rules of keeping homes cool but not working. it’s 31c in my bedroom.

Our homes are designed to keep heat in. I am so tired and want to sleep for longer

OP posts:
HoraceCope · 11/07/2026 07:41

AndSomeForFancyDress · 11/07/2026 07:03

I'd kill for a fan at night. There doesn't seem to be one in the UK for love or money. I'm so fed up with sleeping under a wet towel to try and manage the heat.

shocked when i looked up screwfix and there are no fans.
have you tried lidl/aldi
amazon
argos?

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 11/07/2026 07:39

I don't struggle too much in the heat, but if I'm having a really bad hot night (I have to keep the door to my very tiny bedroom closed or the dog gets in with me and it can get stuffy and warm even with the fan on) I get my own back on the dog and put her gel cooling mat in my bed. She doesn't even use it, she just stretches out on the tiled floor, so it might as well be useful for something!

Vates · 11/07/2026 07:39

I live in a first floor flat and it is currently 30.6 in here, it never cools at night and is horrible. But I do like the sound of fans, I too find them quite soothing! I have a medium sized one and a small usb one. I also use a cooling blanket at night now as I need something to cling to and it is too hot for my body pillow.

superchick · 11/07/2026 07:38

I am currently working on trying to acclimatise. No fans or aircon here, I dont like either. Trying to keep the house cool as much as i can but also working on my acceptance of the weather and emotional responses to things I cannot control. Yes its warm but I still need to go about my day so trying to focus ways to do that happily and with a positive mindset.

I know that might sound smug and annoying but for me its so important not to keep fighting against things that I can't control and to try and take the positives.

Goinggonegone · 11/07/2026 07:35

AndSomeForFancyDress · 11/07/2026 07:03

I'd kill for a fan at night. There doesn't seem to be one in the UK for love or money. I'm so fed up with sleeping under a wet towel to try and manage the heat.

@AndSomeForFancyDress
Just checked for you, and there are quite a few on Amazon. 😊

MagpiePi · 11/07/2026 07:34

Bbbuuu · 11/07/2026 07:26

Buy one in the autumn.

I bought one of mine around ten days before we had a heatwave last year.

Dont wait til it’s hot

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🙄

Any idea where you can get a time machine?

Goinggonegone · 11/07/2026 07:28

Mrstawnyowl · 10/07/2026 22:37

Same here, I’ve done it for years.

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Same!

amylou8 · 11/07/2026 07:26

It's miserable isn't it. I hate the heat. I'd honestly rather it was -10 than +30.
I've got AC in my bedroom, just a portable one. It makes a right racket while you're trying to sleep, and costs £2-3 a night to run. But I just can't sleep in the heat.
I hope it let's up soon or I'm getting a dinghy to Iceland.

Original poster
Bbbuuu · 11/07/2026 07:26

AndSomeForFancyDress · 11/07/2026 07:03

I'd kill for a fan at night. There doesn't seem to be one in the UK for love or money. I'm so fed up with sleeping under a wet towel to try and manage the heat.

Buy one in the autumn.

I bought one of mine around ten days before we had a heatwave last year.

Dont wait til it’s hot

OP posts:
HoraceCope · 11/07/2026 07:17

i dont mind the fan, as long as i can feel it

Ginmonkeyagain · 11/07/2026 07:15

Get a ceiling fan installed or one of those silent Dyson ones.

We are in a flat in London but must be lucky as it has not got over 26 degrees inside so we do not sleep with a fan.

I think why we have been lucky is we live in a solid 1930s block that has thick walls which are painted white. We have windows and a back door that can be opend fully and most importantly we have a large communal garden and are surrounded by trees and bushes that provide a lot of shade. We really need to rethink how we build houses and flats. I feel realy sorry for anyome surrounded by hard standing.

saraastra17 · 11/07/2026 07:12

Not sure if you are asking for ideas, but placing your sheets in a ziplock bag and popping them in the freezer will help a bit as will some cool packs around the bed. The Ancient Egyptians would sleep with a damp cover but haven't tried that one. A ceiling fan is less noisy and will work better. As for sleeping under covers, there's not really much you can do about that at the moment. We sleep under covers but there is no duvet inside.

Gizlotsmum · 11/07/2026 07:11

ConstantlyFuriosa · 10/07/2026 23:22

I have this problem re not being able to use my weighted blanket. I’ve become so used to it and a top sheet doesn’t help me drop off. It’s miserable.

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I got my eldest a cooling blanket, they said it works for them ( usually have a weighted blanket and need to sleep under something)

fashionqueen0123 · 11/07/2026 07:08

AndSomeForFancyDress · 11/07/2026 07:03

I'd kill for a fan at night. There doesn't seem to be one in the UK for love or money. I'm so fed up with sleeping under a wet towel to try and manage the heat.

I ordered an extra one off Amazon a few days ago it’s arriving today. Have a check!

fashionqueen0123 · 11/07/2026 07:07

Thawtfulpanda · 10/07/2026 22:32

My neighbour has a ceiling fan and he says it's so much better than standing ones as it's silent. I am tempted to get one for next summer.

We have one and it’s great!

Happytaytos · 11/07/2026 07:07

Bbbuuu · 11/07/2026 05:39

I live in a flat so no space for air con units

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They're not that big, the portable ones would be perfect.

Have you put fans on open windows to draw in cool air? Are you leaving all windows open all night?

QueenStevie · 11/07/2026 07:06

I sleep with a fan every night of the year. I find it really hard to sleep without it now.

AndSomeForFancyDress · 11/07/2026 07:03

I'd kill for a fan at night. There doesn't seem to be one in the UK for love or money. I'm so fed up with sleeping under a wet towel to try and manage the heat.

marvelousmarmaladian · 11/07/2026 06:10

My 4 DC and I all sleep with fans on full bore all year round. Be that ceiling fans or pedestals. The white noise is soothing and they are cooling when you just have a bit of sheet on you with your feet sticking out.

There are cooling fans too now.

Original poster
Bbbuuu · 11/07/2026 05:41

justasking111 · 10/07/2026 23:46

My allergies/asthma vanish abroad. Here they're exacerbated

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Same here.

NHS could prescribe me to be abroad somewhere with dry heat and air conditioning buildings

I am just allergic to the UK

OP posts:
Original poster
Bbbuuu · 11/07/2026 05:39

itchyelbowsandswollenankles · 10/07/2026 22:44

It’s miserable. I’d book a night at a hotel, or get an aircon unit

I live in a flat so no space for air con units

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 11/07/2026 00:28

Mossstitch · 10/07/2026 23:40

Omg that's why I kept waking up wondering who was playing music...........what on earth is that about?! Why does a fan have that effect (only used it last two nights).

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I think it is our brain filling in the gaps of the white noise of the fan, and coming up with music. I used to get really pissed off because I thought someone was playing music in their car outside.
But it is a thing and is nothing to worry about BTW, but it can be annoying.

takingsometime · 11/07/2026 00:21

I sleep with a fan on every night. It provides white noise to ensure I'm not wakened up by by the hysterical barking of my neighbour's yappy dogs at all hours of the night.

justasking111 · 10/07/2026 23:46

Bbbuuu · 10/07/2026 22:30

It’s not helping my asthma at all. They said this heatwave will be less humid! Rubbish! When abroad I’m fine with the heat as it’s dryer.

I want to sit somewhere cool and cry

Show quote history

My allergies/asthma vanish abroad. Here they're exacerbated

Mossstitch · 10/07/2026 23:40

XenoBitch · 10/07/2026 22:39

I hear music when I have a fan on at night. Can be really distracting when I am trying to sleep.

Also, it means I can't wrap up in my duvet and use my weighted blanket either. Far too hot.

Edited

Omg that's why I kept waking up wondering who was playing music...........what on earth is that about?! Why does a fan have that effect (only used it last two nights).