Fans and air conditioners – how to keep cool in summer
Don’t wait for this summer’s heatwave. Be prepared before it gets here; create a better indoor climate and make it easier to withstand the heat.
Text:
Daniel Haaf
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Don’t wait for this summer’s heatwave. Be prepared before it gets here; create a better indoor climate and make it easier to withstand the heat.
Regardless of whether you have a small flat or a bigger house, there are practical solutions to lower the indoor temperature, both static and portable.
Here we’ll give you some of the pros and cons when it comes to the different types of cooling method. From the most simple table fans, to air conditioners on wheels, and heat pumps with cooling.
Consider this before you buy a cooling system this summer
- How big of an area needs to be cooled down? How many rooms/ floors?
- Do you need smart functions such as WiFi-connection and mobile app?
- Do you want the same product to cool, heat and clean the air?
- Is there room for a portable AC or installed heat pump?
- What will the long term cost be?
Table fans and floor fans
The cheapest and easiest alternative when you want to cool your room down is to get a regular fan. There are small models for only 10 pounds, to up to 100 pounds for more advanced models.
The advantage with having one or more fans is the price, and that they’re easily moved. You can buy several table and floor fans for the same price as a simple portable AC.
The disadvantage with a regular fan is that the air doesn’t cool down as with an air conditioner. Instead a cool feeling is created by moving the air around in the room.
Often a fan will do the job but if you want real, proper cooling a portable AC is what you need.
The more advanced fans are so called tower fans with oscillating functions. There are also models with WiFi connection for mobile app control and also timer functions.
Pros
- Cheaper to buy compared to air conditioners and heat pumps
- Give a cooling effect even without cooling the air
- Doesn’t need to be installed by a window or mounted on a wall
- Small and practical to move between different rooms
Cons
- Doesn’t cool the air as an air conditioner
- Some larger models can be difficult to mount
- The models with the most functions can be pricey
Portable Air Conditioners
With a portable air conditioner, you lower the temperature in your home without the need for fixed installations. It’s cheaper than a heat pump with cooling and more efficient than ordinary fans.
This is an excellent alternative for those who want cooling in all rooms, live in flats, and want a more efficient solution to the classic table or floor fan. In addition, the cost is initially much lower than a heat pump with cooling function.
A portable AC doesn’t have the as big a cooling area as a heat pump, but with wheels it can easily be moved around the home. You don't have to do any damage to the building and quiet models work great in the bedroom.
When you use air conditioning, condensation is formed. On smaller models, condensation water is collected in a small container that you empty yourself. Larger models often have a hose that you hang out of the window instead.
An alternative to the portable air conditioner is an air cooler. Instead of a coolant, water vapour is used to lower the temperature indoors. Air coolers are less efficient than portable ACs but are considerably cheaper to buy and use.
Here you’ll find all portable heating and cooling systems on PriceSpy
Pros
- Lowers the air temperature
- Can be moved between different rooms
- Makes it easier to control the indoor climate than with fans
Cons
- Needs to be placed by a window to release warm air
- More expensive than fans
- Generally noisier than a fan
Heat pump with cooling
The most effective option when you want cooling in summer and heat in the winter is a heat pump with a cooling function. It’s the most expensive solution on our list, but also the most long-term for the home. A heat pump with a cooling function covers a larger area of the home and allows you to quickly adjust the temperature whenever you want.
Smart heat pumps have a mobile app that allows you to make settings remotely. Perfect when you have been on a trip, for example, and want to get the right temperature in the house before returning home.
Another advantage of a heat pumps is that they have built-in air purifier filters that give you a more comfortable indoor climate.
The disadvantage with a heat pump is that it has a fixed position in the home and that the installation can’t be performed by anyone. Furthermore, the cost of buying and installing a heat pump is much higher than both fans and portable air conditioning.
When buying a heat pump it’s important to keep track of the maximum capacity, where you can mount it in the home and of course, if there is a cooling function.
There are many different models that heat and cool in different ways. Consult a specialist before choosing a heat pump.
Pros
- Can both heat and cool the air
- Most efficient way to cool an area
- Best solution when you want all-in-one
- Easiest way to reach the right temperature
- Covers the biggest area
Cons
- Requires installation
- Can’t be placed anywhere in the home
- Most expensive alternative
- Don’t work in all homes
Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity or cooling power is measured in watts per square metre. It’s normal to assume about 80 watts, or about 0.08 kW, per square metre for good cooling power. This means that a portable AC with a cooling capacity of 2.10 kW can cool a room of 26.25 square metres.
2.10 kW = 2 100 watts. 2,100 watts / 80 watts = 26.25 square metres.
Bear in mind that this is the maximum cooling capacity. It’s good to choose air conditioning that can handle a slightly larger area than you require, to have a little margin and more efficient cooling.