Air conditioner, fan, air cooler: what is the difference?


How to find your way between mobile air conditioning, fans, air coolers, humidifiers, misters? In this Numerama video, we take stock by giving some points of reference.

Here we are, facing the first heatwave of summer 2024. The dilemma is back: how best to cool off? In the stores, you can find a wide variety of products. Mobile air conditioners, fans – some with additional functions –, air coolers, humidifiers, misters. How to find your way around? We take stock in this Numerama video :

How do these devices work?

Air conditioning, fans and coolers are very distinct devices:

  • An air conditioner draws air from the room into the unit, where it is cooled to the chosen temperature, in particular by means of refrigerant gases. The residual heat is released outside, while the cooled air is ventilated inside the room. This is why portable air conditioners have a hose to extract the hot air; it is often placed in a window opening.
  • A fanr creates a current of air. This ventilation of the air creates a feeling of freshness. This is due to thermodynamics: by renewing the air that surrounds our body, ventilation helps the evaporation of sweat through the pores of our skin. This evaporation extracts heat from our bodies. Our skin therefore feels cold.
  • An air cooler is a cross between an air conditioner and a fan. It is equipped with a tank to be filled with water (in which it is sometimes possible to also add ice cubes). The warm air from the room is sucked into the device, which passes this air through a filter, or a sort of buffer, humidified by the water in the tank. The air that comes out is cooled by this process, before being projected into the room by the fan.

It should be noted in particular that the air conditioner is the most powerful, the only one to really cool a room by lowering the degrees. However, it is an expensive device in terms of energy (and the bill). In addition, it is particularly bad for the environment. If you use it, it is better to follow some tips to use it in the best way. The air cooler and fan, when used properly, are very useful. All the details are in our Numerama video.

For further

Be careful not to turn the air conditioning too low compared to the outside temperature.  // Source: Canva


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