Which Is Better For Summer: An Air Conditioner Or A Fan?

Which is better for summer: an AIR CONDITIONER or a FAN?

It won't be long before the Australian summer arrives, bringing with it temperatures more akin to those found on the surface of the sun.

If you don't want to melt into a pool of sweaty goo this year, be ready for the seasonal onslaught and have your cooling solutions available ahead of time. But will you use an air conditioner or a fan to chill your home?

Let's see how they compare and contrast:

SIZE

Fans come in a few different sizes, from smaller models that can sit on your desk, to taller upstanding designs for blowing air all around a room.

Air conditioners of various sizes are also available, ranging from portable air conditioners to boxy window coolers and enormous split systems.

While air conditioners are generally larger than fans, non-portable air conditioners such as split systems and window air conditioners take up wall space (which you may not be using otherwise) rather than floor space, so you may be able to keep your home's layout streamlined while keeping things cool.

PORTABILITY

The most useful feature of fans is that they can be used almost any place. As needed, the smallest designs can be moved between the floor, the coffee table, and the kitchen bench.

Even the taller designs may be easily transported from room to room, allowing you to bring a little bit of refreshment with you as you go about your day.

While most air conditioners must be permanently installed in your home, some are portable and can be moved from room to room. However, in order for these portable air conditioners to function properly, they may need access to a suitable window to vent their exhaust.

EFFECTIVENESS

▪Let's face it, a fan will never be able to cool off your home on its own.

▪A fan will only move the air around in your home and will not cool it. However, sometimes all you need is a little air to receive some respite and feel at ease at home.

▪A fan will just move the air around in your home, not cool it. However, sometimes all you need is a little air to receive some respite and keep comfortable at home.

You'll need a supply of colder air (the freezer example above is NOT an effective solution), as well as a way for the hot air to depart your home, to properly cool your home with a fan.

One efficient approach is to wait until the evenings are cooler, then open the windows and doors and use the fan to circulate the cooler air around your home. But make

careful to re-seal your home before the weather starts to warm up again!

It is considerably easier to use an air conditioner because it will refrigerate and actively cool the air in your home. You'll have complete control over the inside climate regardless of the weather outside if you keep your home well-sealed.

ENERGY CONSUMPTION

A fan, on average, uses less energy than an air conditioner, assuming it is just used for light cooling as intended. However, running a fan indefinitely in a vain attempt to cool off your room can be a huge power hog - don't do it! Similarly, if you have an air conditioner, you should run it properly to avoid the dreaded Bill Shock the next quarter.

Don't overwork your air conditioner — set it a few degrees lower than the current temperature to relieve the heat rather than turning it all the way down and cranking it all the way up to make the room feel like Antarctica.

NOISE

Whether a fan or an air conditioner is the noisier equipment depends on the structure of your home and how the appliances are utilized on a case-by-case basis.

The larger and speedier the appliance, the noisier it will be in general. Air conditioners produce more noise than most fans since they are often larger and more powerful. Of course, the engines for the largest split system air conditioners are located outside the home, so there is less noise to worry about inside.

However, where and how an item is set up can account for a significant portion of its noise. Even a modest fan can be extremely irritating if it's installed in an area with a lot of vibrating surfaces.

PRICE/ VALUE

Fans are less expensive to buy and operate than air conditioners, but they aren't as good at cooling your home. If you merely need to stay cool at home, a fan can be all you need.

An air conditioner, on the other hand, could be a useful purchase if you're ready to spend the extra money for complete control over your home's climate.