It feels like summer’s started early this year. And if you live in a home that traps warm air like a sauna, you should think about cooling things down with a tower fan. These nifty appliances can blow a refreshing breeze around an entire room without taking up much space. Plus, some even add a touch of style with their sleek, modern designs.
Sound cool? In this article, we’ve broken down how tower fans work, their benefits, and how much energy they use on average. We’ve compared them against other types of fans too, plus provided some cleaning tips to keep them running smoothly.
How do tower fans work?
Tower fans are all about getting the best airflow while keeping things nice and quiet. They feature a tall, upright design that allows cool air to be pushed out through vents along their height. This means that they distribute air more widely around a room than some other fans, especially as most models can rotate from side to side.
But what’s going on internally? Without getting too technical, tower fans house a motor that spins a fan blade to draw air in from the back or sides. But instead of just blowing it straight back out of the front, tower fans use a clever mechanism to increase the pressure of the air a little inside first. This results in the stream of air getting pushed out with more oomph — boosting the cooling effect and circulation.
Benefits of tower fans
We’ve covered a couple already, but here are all the reasons why tower fans are so cool:
Space-saving design: Tower fans are super slim and can fit neatly into any corner or next to furniture without taking up too much room.
Powerful airflow: Don’t let their size fool you. These fans can really move some air to keep you cool on those hot days.
Quiet operation: Modern tower fans are made to run smoothly and quietly, so you can chill out in peace.
Rotate function: Most models oscillate (move side to side) to spread airflow evenly throughout a room. That way, you get a consistent breeze no matter where you’re sitting.
Speed settings: Many tower fans offer different fan speeds so you can get anything from a gentle, soothing breeze to a strong blast of cold air.
Energy efficient: They tend to consume less energy than other types of fans, helping you save on your electricity bills.
Remote control: A few tower fans come with a remote control that makes it easy to adjust speed settings or set a timer from the comfort of your couch.
Air purification: Some tower fans have filters to keep the air fresh and free of allergens like pollen (ideal if you suffer from hay fever).
Differences between tower fans and other fans
Whether you’re looking to cool down your lounge or keep your office comfy, there's a fan for every kind of space. Here’s how tower fans stack up against other types in terms of their design, airflow, noise, and portability:
| Fan type | Design | Airflow | Noise | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tower fan | Tall, slim, and stylish — making them easy to fit in any space. | Steady and gentle to moderately powerful. Oscillating design blows air around a whole room. | Less noisy than most fans, perfect if you value a bit of peace and quiet while chilling or working. | Lightweight and easy to move around, with some models featuring castors. |
| Pedestal fan | Large and height adjustable, letting you direct strong airflow where you need it. | Typically more powerful than tower fans. Great for cooling bigger spaces when set to rotate. | Pedestal fans can be louder than other fans, especially when using a high speed setting. | Top-heavy design makes them fairly cumbersome to move. |
| Floor fan | Large and sat low to the ground. Most can be tilted up and down. | They circulate air at a high velocity to cool large areas like garages or workshops quickly. | Can get pretty loud when using their fastest speed mode. | Not the most portable and take up quite a bit of floor space. |
| Desk fan | Smaller than other fans to sit easily on a desk or table. Many are USB powered, so they can be plugged into your PC. | Desk fans provide a cool, targeted breeze on your face and body when reading, typing, or kicking back with a movie. | Usually quiet, so you can work, study, or stream without a distracting noise in the background. | Very light and easy to move. Hot in the office? Stick one in your bag and plug it in when you arrive at work. |
How much does it cost to run a tower fan?
If you want to keep your home cool without spending too much on energy, tower fans are a smart choice. They only use between 35 to 60 watts of power, which is less than most floor fans which consume around 100 watts. And that’s way less than air conditioners too, which use several hundred watts.
According to Ideal Home, with an average electricity price of 23p per kWh, a 35-watt tower fan would cost just over 0.8p per hour to run. And don’t forget, loads of tower fans have energy-saving features like timers and slow, subtle speed settings.
How to clean a tower fan
To keep your tower fan working well, you’ll want to make sure you give it a good clean every once in a while. Now, some models might have specific cleaning instructions — so always read the manual first. But our simple steps below should apply to most tower fans:
Unplug the fan: Safety first! Always unplug your tower fan before cleaning it to avoid a nasty shock.
Clear out the vents: Remove dust and lint from your fan's vents with a vacuum. Use the soft brush attachment so you don’t scratch or mark the unit.
Clean internal components: If your fan has a detachable cover, remove it to access the blades and vents. You can use your vacuum again or grab a duster to clean these areas.
Wash filters or removable parts: You might be able to clean some components with warm, soapy water. Just make sure to thoroughly rinse and dry them after.
Dust the exterior: Use a soft, damp cloth or cleaning wipe to remove surface dust from the outside of your tower fan.
Dry and reassemble: Ensure all parts are completely dry before putting your tower fan back together and plugging it in.
FAQs
Are tower fans better than pedestal fans?
It depends on whether you want a fan that takes up less space, or one that offers more power. Tower fans are slim and around a metre high, which makes them easier to fit in your home than pedestal fans which are tall and top heavy. Tower fans also have a more modern look which can blend in better with the rest of your home’s décor. But pedestal fans tend to deliver more powerful airflow, making them extra effective at cooling larger spaces.
Can you lay a tower fan on its side?
It’s not a good idea to lay a tower fan on its side. They’re designed to be used upright and doing this could potentially damage the motor inside and cause other issues.
Do tower fans blow cold air?
Tower fans can’t actively cool air like air conditioners can, which are able to lower the overall temperature of a room. Instead, tower fans circulate existing air to create a breeze that can help you feel cooler on stuffy, humid days.
Can you leave a tower fan on overnight?
Yes, it’s generally safe to leave a tower fan on while you get some shuteye. As long as it’s cleaned regularly and placed in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating. You might also want to consider a tower fan with a timer that’ll turn off automatically after a set period.
Need more advice?
Now that you know a great way to keep your home cool, how about some other heat-beating hacks? We’ve got some handy tips on how to cool your phone down this summer. Or enjoy the thrill of the chill with our how to use a slush machine guide.
