Fans and Air Conditioners: How to Find the Perfect Way to Cool Off
Whether you live in a loft apartment or a spacious house, a fan or air conditioner makes hot summer days so much more comfortable. Which cooling device is right for you, and what should you look for when choosing? At Lidl, you will find the best ways to beat the heat along with cool tips.
Air Conditioner vs. Fan: The Overview
Fan | Air Conditioner (portable) |
|
|---|---|---|
Cooling Capacity | ++ | +++ |
Active Temperature Control | + | +++ |
Functions + Features | ++ | +++ |
Installation | +++ | ++ |
Cost | +++ | + |
Mobility | +++ | ++ |
Noise Level | +++ | ++ |
Fan: quick to set up, affordable cooling
A fan is a versatile cooling appliance for every home and every room. It draws in the surrounding air, blows it back out, and circulates it. Although it does not actively lower the room temperature, it still provides a pleasant, cooling effect. A fan:
- dries sweat on the skin,
- is quick and easy to install,
- can be used anywhere,
- costs very little, and
- does not cause drastic temperature differences.
Fans are available at Lidl in various designs that effortlessly adapt to your needs:
- Table fan – small, compact, and always right where you need it
- Bladeless fan – modern cooling with no risk of injury, packed with features, a sleek design, and extra-quiet operation
- Handheld fan – for quick cooling on the go, whether at a picnic or on public transit
- Tower fan – compact footprint and targeted cooling for smaller spaces
- Pedestal fan – powerful yet discreet, perfect for larger rooms
If you are looking for extra cooling power, go for a fan with air cooling: these fans are also filled with cold water, which is released into the air as a fine mist during operation. This cool water mist actually lowers the room temperature (slightly) and literally refreshes your whole body.
Tip: A ceiling fan isn't just great for cooling down. In the winter, a ceiling fan distributes warm heated air throughout the entire room, ensuring the room reaches a comfortable temperature faster. Depending on your setup, you can save up to 30 percent on heating costs this way.
Portable Air Conditioner: The Mobile Alternative to Built-in AC
If you are looking for real cooling, a mobile air conditioner is the right choice. It works on the same principle as a built-in AC unit: indoor air is drawn in, actively cooled down via a refrigerant, and then blown back out. The excess heat is channeled outside through a hose.
Compared to a built-in air conditioner, a monoblock unit is mobile, meaning you can set it up anywhere in your home. However, you must always keep in mind that a hose is required, which you must run out of a window or door without letting the warm air flow back into the room.
This often requires a few extra steps. A clever idea? Have a hardware store cut a piece of plexiglass to your specific window dimensions, and have them cut a custom-fit hole for the end of the hose. You can place this plexiglass in the open window during the hot summer months. This way, the heat reliably escapes outside without coming back in, and the hose stays perfectly in place!
By the way, an air conditioner isn't just for cooling down. Depending on the model, monoblock air conditioners also have other capabilities:
- Dehumidify the room (for example, to prevent mold)
- Ventilate (without using refrigerant)
Of course, these multi-functional units can't replace a dedicated dehumidifier. But with their multiple functions, you can use them in many different ways.
Info: What does cooling capacity mean?
For every air conditioner for your apartment or house, you will find a cooling capacity specification in BTU/h. BTU/h stands for British Thermal Unit and indicates how much energy the air conditioner needs per hour to remove heat from a room. A practical air conditioner provides about 20 BTU/h per square meter, which looks like this as an example:
A cooling capacity (BTU/h) of … | is sufficient for rooms … |
|---|---|
5,000 BTU/h | up to approx. 160 sq ft |
7,000 BTU/h | up to approx. 270 sq ft |
12,000 BTU/h | up to approx. 380 sq ft |
Air Conditioner or Fan: How to Make the Right Choice
No matter what the thermometer says: everyone experiences ambient temperature and indoor climate differently. That is why, before buying your cooling solution at Lidl, you should consider which option is the right choice for you and your family. The following aspects play a key role in your purchasing decision.
Required Cooling Capacity
A fan has a very limited effect – not only in terms of coverage area, but also regarding the actual cooling sensation. It works best when you are directly in its path. The good thing about this: every household member can create their own personal cooling zones without necessarily affecting others. A fan is also generally a great solution for small rooms with a closed layout. A cooling unit, depending on its capacity, can air-condition an entire home – even with an open floor plan and regardless of where you are located.
Installation
While a fan only requires an outlet or batteries to start working, with a cooling unit you need to consider how to vent the excess heat out of the house using the exhaust hose. Similarly, you need to think about how to seal the window around the hose so that the heat doesn't get back into the room. Even if an air conditioner is mobile, this installation means it requires a relatively fixed location.
Living Situation
An attic apartment in the city or a cozy home in warmer regions: if you dread the indoor climate before every summer, you will quickly learn to appreciate an air conditioner. In these cases, fans are more of a temporary fix. Even if an air conditioner comes with higher costs, it quickly pays off during prolonged heatwaves – for instance, because your bedroom finally becomes a relaxing oasis again or because your kids can enjoy their summer break much better thanks to optimal humidity.
Health
A fan can cause drafts, which can be uncomfortable for some people. On the other hand, the temperature difference between an air-conditioned room and the outdoors is less of a strain. Moving from an actively cooled room into the general environment causes a temperature shock to the body, which can sometimes lead to the dreaded summer cold. Conversely, spending time in (well) air-conditioned rooms enormously reduces heat stress for sensitive individuals.
