Do Window Fans Keep Rooms Cooler Than Standing Fans?
If you’re looking to cool down your rooms without an AC (air conditioning), you need to start thinking strategically. Now there are going to be some days when your fans won’t be reliable, no matter how hard you try. This becomes particularly true when the sun is out on hot summer days. But the good thing is that on most days, you will be able to pull in some cool air and direct out the hot bits. How? The answer is window fans!
What Is a Window Fan?
A window fan is installed right below or in your window. It usually has two modes: an exhaust fan mode and a normal fan mode. Depending on the brand, you may also be able to adjust its speed. But, why the window? It’s so you can pull in cool air directly from outside, instead of only circulating the existing air inside your room.
Ceiling fans, standing fans, pedestal fans, etc. — they’re all used to circulate existing air in the room. Window fans, on the other hand, can be used to suck out all the hot air from your room and pull in cool air from outside. You’d be surprised to find out how they work exceptionally well when the weather outside is cool and rainy.
Does a Window Fan Keep Room Cooler Than a Standing Fan?
The answer isn’t that simple. Yes, a window fan does pull in cool air from the outside and circulates it on the inside, and does eventually cool down the room. But, scientifically, it takes a bit more than that for you to cool down your room without AC.
- Firstly, you need to build a decent ventilation system in your room. If you’re pulling cool air from one end of the room, you’ll ideally need to throw out the hot air from another end. This process repeats until there’s only cool air circulating and ventilating through the room.
- Secondly, you need to make ends meet with what you’ve got and make the best out of your situation. If you’ve got a window fan on one end, try and install an exhaust fan on the opposite end of the room.
When it comes to a tower fan or ceiling fan, it will only circulate the existing air inside your room. This is exactly why the air from our regular fans feels extremely hot in summer.
You must also keep in mind that a window fan running on a hot afternoon in summer will only make your room hotter than it already is. You’ll need to run it on exhaust mode to benefit from it.
The Pros and Cons of Window Fans
Advantages:
- There are window fans with two fans that pull in cool air and pull out hot air simultaneously
- They don’t circulate the inside air but pull in air from outside, making it easy for you to cool down your room when the weather outside is pleasant
Disadvantages:
- Window fans are not portable
- They’re usually not very powerful, and the more powerful they are, the noisier they become
The Pros and Cons of Standing Fans
Advantages:
- They’re portable and can be moved anywhere
- You can purchase tower fans without blades — they make little-to-no noise
Disadvantages:
They don’t cool down your room unless placed in front of a window
The Bottom Line: Pair up a Window Fan and Standing Fan for Best Results
Now that you’ve understood how air ventilation works, you can use both window fans and tower fans to your benefit. Let the window fan pull in cool air and place the standing fan facing the room’s exit. Make sure to keep the curtains closed so the heat from sunlight can’t affect your room’s temperature.