Air Cooler vs Fan: Choosing the Perfect Cooling Companion

As the temperature is rising, it can be hard to beat the summer heat even by staying inside. From fans to air conditioners there are different alternatives available for cooling space. But choosing an appropriate cooling alternative gives a lot of people a headache. 

If you are also trying to decide about choosing the right cooling alternative this summer, then you can relax. It’s because in this blog we will be going through air coolers vs fans and we will be discussing in detail how they work. In addition, we’ll also be finding out which will be right for you. Let’s begin,

What is an air cooler and how does it work? 

An air cooler is an electric device that is used to cool the air in the room by evaporating water. It is commonly used as an alternative to an air conditioner where the humidity level is low. Air coolers are often portable and offer effective cooling. 

An air cooler works on the principle of evaporative cooling which helps lower the air temperature. It consists of water pads or filters that play a primary role in cooling the hot air. An air cooler first draws warm air and then makes it pass through water pads. The water pads then cool down the air by evaporating the water which is then circulated to the room. 

What is a fan and how does it work? 

A fan is one of the most common appliances for generating airflow for circulation, cooling, and ventilation. Fans by generating airflow, aid in keeping the spaces cool while the temperature rises.

Blades and motors are the two primary components of fans. The fan’s motor transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy. A fan motor is usually at the base of the fan to which the fan blades are attached. When a fan is connected to a power source, the motor rotates, ultimately rotating the blades creating airflow. 

Fan vs. Air Cooler 

After going through the working of both the fan and air conditioner, it’s time for us to move to our primary concern. So, moving ahead let’s find out the difference between a fan and an air cooler in our fan vs. air cooler blog. Following are the grounds in which the fan and air cooler differ,

Cooling Mechanism 

An air cooler uses the principle of evaporative cooling for cooling the space around it. Air coolers have water pads inside them, so when the air cooler draws warm air it passes through the water-soaked pads where evaporation occurs, ultimately cooling the air.

On the other hand, fans do not directly cool down the air but create an airflow. The creation of airflow helps with the evaporation of sweat from the skin ultimately making you feel cooler.

Cooling Efficiency  

Air coolers offer significant cooling effects and can be used in areas with moderate to high temperatures and humidity. They can reduce the temperature by several degrees and make the space cooler. 

Fan in contrast creates airflow to reduce the temperature of the space. Since they do not directly cool down the air, they are less effective when the temperature and humidity of space are high. It is most effective when the temperature is moderate and the humidity is low. 

Energy Efficiency 

The power consumption of an air cooler might be slightly higher. Air coolers need the power to pump water for the process of evaporation and to operate the fan to push the air. 

Fans are more energy efficient when it comes to the consumption of electricity. As fans require electricity to operate motors only, they require less energy which leads to the consumption of less energy.

Cost 

Air coolers are more effective in cooling spaces with high temperatures and humidity. This makes them a bit expensive. Also, they might require regular maintenance.

Fans are generally more affordable to purchase and operate compared to other cooling alternatives including air coolers. In addition, they require minimal maintenance including cleaning blades and ensuring the fan motor is in good condition.

Portability 

Air coolers come in different sizes and are generally portable. However, when compared to fans they are bulkier and heavier making it slightly difficult to frequently move over the spaces. 

Fans come in different types and sizes. From ceiling fans to stand fans, fans are of different types. Ceiling fans and wall fans are designed to be mounted on the wall making them fixed once placed, other fans such as stand fans and table fans are highly portable. 

Noise and Impact on the Environment 

Air coolers can produce some noise due to the fan and water pump operation. However, the modern air coolers are designed to operate with less noise. Also, air coolers do not use any kind of refrigerants making them environment friendly. 

Fans usually operate without noise, especially at lower speeds when compared to air coolers. Fans are eco-friendly too as they do not have any negative impacts on the environment.

Conclusion  

Choosing between a fan and an air cooler can be quite confusing as they both are common appliances used for cooling spaces. While both fan and air coolers are used for cooling spaces when it comes to fan vs air cooler they differ on several grounds, the primary difference lies in the cooling mechanism and cooling efficiency.

An air cooler works on the principle of evaporative cooling which makes the air cool down directly. On the other hand, a fan does not cool down the air but creates airflow. Similarly, an air cooler offers effective cooling for spaces with moderately high temperatures and humidity. In contrast, a fan is effective for spaces with low temperatures and humidity. 

So, which one do you think will be best for you after going through the differences? In case you have decided to get a fan, make sure you visit The Better Appliances for modern and affordable fans.