Energy question

HyperM3 · 05-29-2007, 09:07 PM

Does a tower fan that is left on throughout the night use more or less energy than an A/C which comes on for 3 minutes every 20 minutes?

Please discuss.

just4kickz · 05-29-2007, 09:15 PM

wow thats a good question

ovrkll · 05-29-2007, 09:22 PM

Just for kicks, what kind of fan? 5vdc, 12vdc, 115vac, 3 phase? Just saying tower fan was not informative enough, I can only guess that you are referring to a computer case fan. But any way you look at it, the fan option is almost always going to consume less electricity. Takes quite a bit to operate a compressor, fan, and blower in an AC system.

HyperM3 · 05-29-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ovrkll

Just for kicks, what kind of fan? 5vdc, 12vdc, 115vac, 3 phase? Just saying tower fan was not informative enough, I can only guess that you are referring to a computer case fan. But any way you look at it, the fan option is almost always going to consume less electricity. Takes quite a bit to operate a compressor, fan, and blower in an AC system.

Ohh youre right, wasnt clear. I meant an actual "oscilating tower" type fan that stands on the floor. 3 speeds but kept on the lowest. To be more specific, its 120v 60hz 45w.

533ogetnom · 05-29-2007, 09:29 PM

omg wow, the ac by far, the ac uses hundreds of wats while its running

also i dont believe the fan is 45 watts, wtf is that thing

ovrkll · 05-29-2007, 09:32 PM

Just because I'm lazy

, quick Google returned this:

"Here is a general look at the difference of running an air conditioner vs. running a Ceiling or oscillating fan, at medium speed.

Running a central air conditioner that is three ton (and of average efficiency) for 8 hours per day for 15 days per month, with the average rate per kWh (kilowatt per hour) being 0.17, the average cost per month for the air conditioner alone will be $97.92. Amazing isn't it? This does not even include washer, dryer, lights, refrigerator, or stove, only the air conditioner.

On the other hand, running a ceiling fan or oscillating fan at medium speed, for 8 hours per day, for a full 30 days, at an average rate per kWh of 0.035 is only $1.43. With this comparison you could run 68 ½ fans for a full month before you would reach the cost of the central air conditioning unit."

Answer the question for you?

Cheers!

P.S. I agree with the other poster, 45watts sounds more like a blow dryer than a simple fan.

HyperM3 · 05-29-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 533ogetnom

omg wow, the ac by far, the ac uses hundreds of wats while its running

also i dont believe the fan is 45 watts, wtf is that thing

Here

ovrkll · 05-29-2007, 09:43 PM

I understand now, this is not just your everyday oscillating fan. Extra features include:

high performance centrifugal blade design with wide area oscillation.
Remote control.
4-hour timer.
Breeze settings.

But it is still cheaper than running the AC system

ward · 05-29-2007, 10:04 PM

what type of AC do you have as well?

ratings are in SEER, standard was 10 up to the end of 2005
13 is the new minimum now

you can get SEER ratings up to 20 on a new system, or if your system is very old it may be as low as 6.

a good modern AC will still use more engery than a fan, but you'll be way more comfortable.

New variable speed fan motors are very efficient.

check out www.hvacopcost.com if you'd like to run a cost analysis of different AC efficiency levels

05-29-2007, 09:07 PM	#1
HyperM3 Too many Alex's, from now on, call me Beaufort 376 Rep 6,188 Posts Drives: See Sig Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Lawrenceville, NJ iTrader: (8)	Energy question Does a tower fan that is left on throughout the night use more or less energy than an A/C which comes on for 3 minutes every 20 minutes? Please discuss. __________________ 13 HD FatBob 17 A4 Glacier/Black 1st Edition/Pre+/Sport/EurocodeTMD/Racechip 16 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),14 S6 (gone),13 S6 (gone),10 S4 (gone) 07 335i(gone)
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05-29-2007, 09:15 PM	#2
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 349 Rep 11,023 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	wow thats a good question __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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05-29-2007, 09:22 PM	#3
ovrkll Lieutenant 8 Rep 412 Posts Drives: Interlagos Blue Z4M Join Date: May 2007 Location: McDonough, GA iTrader: (0)	Just for kicks, what kind of fan? 5vdc, 12vdc, 115vac, 3 phase? Just saying tower fan was not informative enough, I can only guess that you are referring to a computer case fan. But any way you look at it, the fan option is almost always going to consume less electricity. Takes quite a bit to operate a compressor, fan, and blower in an AC system.
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05-29-2007, 09:29 PM	#5
533ogetnom Banned 106 Rep 1,760 Posts Drives: 335coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Florida iTrader: (1)	omg wow, the ac by far, the ac uses hundreds of wats while its running also i dont believe the fan is 45 watts, wtf is that thing
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05-29-2007, 09:32 PM	#6
ovrkll Lieutenant 8 Rep 412 Posts Drives: Interlagos Blue Z4M Join Date: May 2007 Location: McDonough, GA iTrader: (0)	Just because I'm lazy , quick Google returned this: "Here is a general look at the difference of running an air conditioner vs. running a Ceiling or oscillating fan, at medium speed. Running a central air conditioner that is three ton (and of average efficiency) for 8 hours per day for 15 days per month, with the average rate per kWh (kilowatt per hour) being 0.17, the average cost per month for the air conditioner alone will be $97.92. Amazing isn't it? This does not even include washer, dryer, lights, refrigerator, or stove, only the air conditioner. On the other hand, running a ceiling fan or oscillating fan at medium speed, for 8 hours per day, for a full 30 days, at an average rate per kWh of 0.035 is only $1.43. With this comparison you could run 68 ½ fans for a full month before you would reach the cost of the central air conditioning unit." Answer the question for you? Cheers! P.S. I agree with the other poster, 45watts sounds more like a blow dryer than a simple fan.
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05-29-2007, 09:43 PM	#8
ovrkll Lieutenant 8 Rep 412 Posts Drives: Interlagos Blue Z4M Join Date: May 2007 Location: McDonough, GA iTrader: (0)	I understand now, this is not just your everyday oscillating fan. Extra features include: high performance centrifugal blade design with wide area oscillation. Remote control. 4-hour timer. Breeze settings. But it is still cheaper than running the AC system
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05-29-2007, 10:04 PM	#9
ward Major General 163 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	what type of AC do you have as well? ratings are in SEER, standard was 10 up to the end of 2005 13 is the new minimum now you can get SEER ratings up to 20 on a new system, or if your system is very old it may be as low as 6. a good modern AC will still use more engery than a fan, but you'll be way more comfortable. New variable speed fan motors are very efficient. check out www.hvacopcost.com if you'd like to run a cost analysis of different AC efficiency levels
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