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The Curious Bag
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<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: More Efficient
Oscillating tower fans distribute air over a wider area than other types of fans--up to 250 square feet, according to Air-N-Water.com. They use only 4 kilowatt-hours of electricity, compared with box fans, which consume three times as much, according to the online e-magazine Grist.
On the Other: Other Fans Cover Larger Areas
Because box fans do not need to maintain the stability of a tower device, they use bigger blades that spin faster and move more air than oscillating fans. Ceiling fans also use large blades to direct air upward or downward and can circulate enough air to cover a 625-square-foot room, according to Hansen Wholesale.
Bottom Line
Box and ceiling fans--which tend to be larger--move more air than oscillating fans, which are generally smaller. Because oscillating fans blow air over a large area while using less electricity than other fan types, they are more efficient.
Source:
WiseGeek: What is an Oscillating Fan?
Hansen Wholesale: Ceiling Fan FAQs
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