Does Air Conditioner Use More Electricity Than a Fan?

When you need reliable air conditioner services in Maricopa, call 480-406-7487.

Everyone knows that Arizona experiences extremely hot summers, making it important to keep your home cool and comfortable. Eco-conscious homeowners and those living on a budget may wonder, “Does an air conditioner use more electricity than a fan?” Learn the answer to that question and more with Maricopa’s heating and air conditioning experts.

does air conditioner use more electricity than a fan

Electricity Use Comparison: Air Conditioner vs. Fan

In short, window or central air conditioners use more electricity than a ceiling, box, or oscillating fan. However, fans can’t control the actual temperature of the air like an air conditioner does. The trade-off for lower energy costs equates to higher indoor temperatures and humidity.

While it may seem easier on your budget to utilize fans instead of air conditioning units, you can’t maintain a reasonable temperature when the weather climbs toward triple digits. However, you can choose an air conditioning unit that offers you a rating by which you can determine better energy use.

How to Calculate Energy Use for Different Air Conditioners

Since fans don’t lower the actual temperature of your room, they don’t come with an efficiency rating. Air conditioner energy efficiency ratings give you an idea of how often the AC compressor will actually run.

Window units use CEER, or Combined Energy Efficiency Ratio. The CEER uses all instances of the compressor running to provide a figure representing the window air conditioner’s general use. Homeowners can then divide the BTU per hour of the air conditioner by its CEER to discover the average power consumption.

Central AC units provide users with a SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This number represents how much energy a central AC condenser uses during the most consumptive period of the air conditioner’s usage, usually during the summer season. Homeowners can use the same calculation for CEER to break down how much energy the cooling system uses.

Whether you want to use a window unit or central air conditioning, using the CEER and SEER to compare energy consumption can help you make an informed decision.

Should I Use an Air Conditioner or a Fan?

Knowing how hot the temperatures can climb in Maricopa, AZ, the question, “Does an air conditioner use more electricity than a fan?” shouldn’t matter as much as which one keeps residents safer.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can affect people of all ages, making it extremely important that homeowners use every method possible to maintain a safe indoor temperature. While small children and the elderly fall prey to these conditions more often, the longer someone maintains exposure to hot, humid temperatures, the more likely the heat will negatively affect them.

Signs of Heat Exhaustion

If the homeowner or a resident in a home suffers from these symptoms, measures such as drinking room temperature water and slowly cooling off can correct them. Should the symptoms last longer than an hour, the sufferer should seek medical attention. These symptoms can include:

  • Nausea
  • Fainting
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Muscle Cramps
  • Excessive Sweating

The best way to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke consists of supplying one’s home with easily regulated cool air. Whether using a window air conditioner or a central AC system, either option helps control indoor temperatures and benefits the health of all residents.

Should I Choose a Window or Central AC?

When it comes to supplying a house with consistent cool air, a central AC works better than window air conditioners. However, installing a central air conditioner in a home without one can cost thousands of dollars for not only the AC unit but also the installation of air ducts and vents. In this case, a homeowner may opt for window air conditioners spread strategically throughout their house.

Other homeowners might combine the forces of window and central AC units, keeping rooms like bedrooms, kitchens, or living rooms cooler than other areas throughout the house. Whether using central air conditioners, window units, or both, the most important aspect consists of ensuring everyone in a home remains healthy and safe during the hottest months of the year.

Stay Cool All Summer Long with Felix Appliance Heating & Air

When asking, “Does an air conditioner use more electricity than a fan?” many homeowners should realize that the more important question consists of how they can maintain a safe home during extremely hot temperatures.

Whether you need AC maintenance or installation, call Felix Appliances Heating & Air in Maricopa, AZ, at 480-406-7487.