When looking for ways to save money in your household, you might consider getting a new box fan vs an air conditioner. Both devices have their uses, but they work better when combined since sometimes even the best air conditioner may not create enough air circulation for your space.
Moreover, there are many options and decisions when it comes to A/Cs. A couple comparisons are an air chiller vs an air conditioner. You won’t know what you need until you start comparing the products.
Key Takeaways_
- ACs cool your house, but they have a higher price tag.
- Box fans circulate air around your space to make you feel cooler, but they do not cool the air.
- A combination of air conditioner and fan can help reduce your AC system’s energy consumption and workload.
To understand the many differences between a box fan and an air conditioner, consider the usage and operation, energy efficiency, and overall cost.
Differences Between AC and Box Fans
Although the most significant difference in temperature stems from the cooling method (dry mode vs cool mode for example), you likely want to consider the energy efficiency and cost of a box fan and air conditioning system. The two appliances move or cool the air in varying size spaces with different energy costs.
insider tip
Fans activate a process in our bodies that makes us feel cooler by moving the air around.
However, you will most likely want an air conditioner if you are looking for a single-appliance solution for cooling your home. In most cases, you would need multiple fans to cool the entire space throughout your house. If you’re looking for the most energy-efficient model or the best bang for your buck, learn about BTU vs ASHRAE measurements.
Cooling Process
An air conditioner cools the air in your house by sending it through several elements, starting at the AC unit. The air passes through a compressor, condenser coils, air filters, evaporator coils, ducts, vents, and more before being released into your house at a lower indoor temperature than it started. The system uses a refrigerant to cool the air actively, but it also removes minute particles and humidity from the space.
A box fan circulates the air in your space with minimal chilling effect. As the blades spin, they pull in and move air and spark a natural cooling effect in our bodies through sweat evaporation. Setting a box fan in the window will help pull fresh air from outside, but you should have all windows and doors open to maximize airflow and circulation speed. If you need something more narrow for your space, there are also tower fans that can both cool and heat.
Cost
An air conditioning unit is expensive to install and run. The power needed to start and run your system remains substantial, even on the best models. However, the cost may be worth it if you are in a hot or humid climate. In addition, you won’t have to control the AC using buttons and remote control features nearly as often because you set up routines on your thermostat.
warning
Running an air conditioning system is often costly, so you may want to use a box fan to lower your energy usage.
Box fans are relatively cheap, providing a cost-effective option for those in mild climates. They do not last long as air conditioners or cool the air. You may need to run your fan constantly. The energy costs associated with running box fans are significantly less than an AC.
Efficiency
Whether you want to lower the temperature by a few degrees or more, you may need to run your fans for longer. However, they do consume less energy while they run. As a result, box fans present less need for maintenance, though the efficiency decreases as the motor is worn down.
STAT: Approximately 17% of the energy we use in our homes goes to air conditioners. (source)
Air conditioners use more energy while running, but they cool the house as you want them to. So, in terms of power consumption, they consume more power. However, they are more efficient when lowering the temperature in your home. If you want to save some money while your AC runs, you could add a fan to the mix to maximize circulation and its effects on our bodies.
