In summer, living spaces can get quite hot. Many people long for air conditioning, while others prefer simple fans. What is the better remedy for the heat?
Only air conditioning systems are able to reduce the air temperature, whereas fans circulate the existing air. So is this an obvious advantage for air conditioning systems? Not necessarily, as both setting up and operating an air conditioning system requires some consideration. The costs in particular are significantly different from those of a fan. The crucial differences.
The fan is a summer must-have for many people, because to create a cool breeze it is enough to circulate the air. The resulting draft cools our sweating skin. In addition, the fan can be placed at the window after the hottest hours of the day to effectively direct the cooler outside air into the apartment.
Air conditioning: Which model is suitable?
The most popular models include window air conditioners, which are installed directly on a window or in a wall opening. They are compact and perfect for cooling individual rooms. Split air conditioners are also common. A distinction is made between single-split systems, which consist of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit and are intended for individual rooms, and multi-split systems, which connect an outdoor unit with several indoor units and can therefore cool several rooms.
A flexible approach is mobile or monoblock air conditioning systems, which can be moved but require an exhaust opening to the outside. Central air conditioning systems were designed to air condition entire buildings or large residential complexes. They consist of a central unit that distributes cooled air through a duct system. It should be noted that split air conditioning systems cool more effectively than monoblock systems. But it also depends on the size of the room: In a scenario by Stiftung Warentest, most devices need around 30 to 45 minutes to cool a 14 square meter room from 30 to 24 degrees.
Air conditioning versus a fan: Which is more cost-effective?
In terms of running costs, a fan is always the more cost-effective choice because it uses significantly less electricity than an air conditioner. Consumers can find out the exact difference online using an electricity calculator. However, the difference is usually between 30 and 50 euros per month for a mobile air conditioner and 40 to 70 euros for a split air conditioner model.
Additional costs arise for a split air conditioning system for installation. Depending on the living situation, this item can quickly reach more than 1,500 euros. If you are not the owner of the property, you must also obtain permission from the landlord. Another aspect is the noise level that the outdoor unit of a split air conditioning system can generate, which may cause displeasure among neighbors.
Staying cool in summer: it all depends on the scenario
Ultimately, everyone has to decide for themselves whether the cost of a cool apartment is justified. If you are rarely at home in the summer, an open window, a fan and perhaps a damp towel hanging up are usually enough. During the day, windows and shutters should also be closed to keep the heated air out and reduce the sun's rays to a minimum.
The situation is different for people who spend a lot of time at home and perhaps live in the attic or facing south. In these cases, air conditioning can be useful, especially if you work from home. Depending on the situation and the orientation of the rooms, a monoblock may be sufficient. Before buying a split or monoblock air conditioning system, you should pay particular attention to the energy efficiency label, which includes information about the noise level as well as the power consumption.
The consumer advice center also recommends looking at independent product tests before deciding to buy a particular air conditioning system. In general, however, it recommends using fans: “Fans are available from as little as 20 euros – so they are much cheaper than an air conditioning system. The electricity costs are also very low compared to air conditioning units: even when used 90 days a year for 10 hours a day, they incur electricity costs of less than 5 euros on average.”
By (fski/spot)
