Heating and cooling by type
- Cooling fans: bladeless towers, desk and tabletop fans, and bigger fans you can move from house to garden. Some are cordless and rechargeable; some add a fine water mist.
- Personal fans: pocket-sized fans for on the go, some misting and some with a chilled plate.
- Heaters: convector heaters give quiet, steady warmth, while fan heaters blow warm air for faster heat, and some double as a cooling fan in summer.
- Purifying fans: fans with filters built in, cleaning the air as they move it. Some versions also heat, or humidify a dry room.
- Air purifiers: pull air through filters to trap dust, pollen and other particles. Their job is cleaner air, not cooling.
- Dehumidifiers: draw moisture out of the air to deal with condensation and damp, and help washing dry indoors. Some include a purifying filter.
Which suits you?
| Product | Suits | Worth checking |
| Cooling fan | A breeze in the bedroom, lounge or home office on hot days. | Tower, desk or portable, oscillation, and a quiet night setting. |
| Personal fan | Commuting, festivals, the gym and sunny days out. | How it charges, and whether it has mist or a cooling plate. |
| Fan heater | Fast warmth in one room, and cooling again in summer. | Thermostat, timer and a nearby wall socket. |
| Purifying fan | Year-round purification combined with a second job. | How often filters need replacing and what they cost, plus the room size it's designed for. |
| Air purifier | Allergy sufferers, homes with pets, and houses near busy roads. | Room size, the filters fitted and the noise on its lowest speed. |
| Dehumidifier | Condensation, damp patches and drying laundry inside. | Daily extraction, tank capacity and whether it can drain via a hose. |
Making the choice
Be clear about the job
Fans make you feel cooler by moving air; the thermometer won't move. Purifiers clean the air, and dehumidifiers dry it. Combination machines cost more but are useful all year round, which matters if there's nowhere to store a fan in winter.
Room size
Each purifier lists the floor area it can handle, and each dehumidifier how many litres it removes per day. Undersized, a machine will run flat out and still fall short. For big open-plan areas, look at the larger purifiers built for them.
Noise
For a bedroom or home office, compare noise ratings and choose a model whose night setting turns the lights down and the speed right down.
Controls
Remote controls, timers and oscillation all earn their place day to day. A heater with a thermostat holds the temperature you set and doesn't run longer than it needs to. Connected models show air quality and let you adjust settings from an app.
Filters and running costs
Filters need changing periodically, and the interval varies a lot between machines, so check the replacement price and schedule. Heaters use far more electricity than fans, which makes a thermostat and timer well worth having.
Before you order
- Measure the spot. Tower fans take little floor space but are tall. Keep the air inlets clear.
- Plug heaters into the wall, never an extension lead.
- Indoor or outdoor? Only use a fan outside if the manufacturer says it's suitable.
- Plan for water. Collected water either sits in a tank for emptying or runs off via a hose. Humidifiers and misting fans need topping up.
- Give heaters space, and never cover one.
Browse all small appliances for more around the home.
The brands we sell
Our heating and cooling range comes from Meaco, EcoAir and Shark, from bladeless designs and fan heaters that purify to handheld coolers and compressor dehumidifiers. Filter by brand or product type to narrow the list.
Buying heating and cooling from KDH Electrical
All of these come with the full UK manufacturer's guarantee. Spend over £600 for free delivery, normally within 3–7 working days.
Spotted a lower price at another UK retailer? Under our price match, we'll do our best to match it. For help choosing, call 01622 541312 or visit our showroom in Rochester, ringing before you travel to check what's on display.
Heating & Cooling: your questions answered
Will a fan cool the room?
No. It moves air over your skin so you feel cooler, but the room temperature doesn't drop. Misting fans add a fine water spray for a stronger cooling effect.
Air purifier or purifying fan?
A purifier focuses on filtering and circulates air softly. A purifying fan filters as well but also blows a cooling breeze, and some models heat.
Convector or fan heater?
A convector is quiet and gives gentle, even warmth. Fan heaters push out warm air for quicker comfort, and some switch to cooling in summer.
How often do purifier filters need replacing?
It depends on the machine and how much it runs. Annual replacement is common, but some filters are designed for several years. The manual and product page give the interval.
What size dehumidifier do I need?
They're rated by how much water they remove per day. A modest rating handles a flat or single room; for a whole house or regular indoor drying, go higher. Follow the manufacturer's sizing on the product page.
Can a purifier run all the time?
Yes, they're built for continuous use. Auto mode adjusts the fan to the air quality, keeping noise and energy use down.
Will a dehumidifier stop condensation on windows?
It helps a lot. Drier air means less moisture settling on cold windows and walls. Size it for your home and keep the tank emptied.