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Sometimes its so hot that you want to keep your tower fan running the whole day and night. But is that a good idea? Here’s what you want to know.
It’s generally recommended to run tower fans for a maximum of 8 hours continually. While 24 hours should not be an issue, with a lack of maintenance on the fan, there could be some fire risk running it for extended periods of time. It’s also not necessary to keep a fan running 24/7 in most cases.
Below we’ll go into what the risks of keeping a tower fan running are and if it’s really a big issue.
Contents
Can a Tower Fan Run Continuously?
A tower fan can run continuously for up to 24 hours all day if it is in good condition. This means that you can leave your fan on all day and night and it shouldn’t be an issue.
It’s like other electrical appliances and you might not want to leave them turned on unattended. However, some appliances you do leave on like a fridge and nobody thinks twice about it.
Fans that are older, dirty and/or not well maintained should be treated with a bit more caution. It is a potential fire hazard and although it’s a really tiny risk, it’s still there.
Besides, in most cases it’s not necessary to leave the fan turned on all the time. A tower fan circulates air in a room. It doesn’t change the temperature or humidity inside a space. So if there is nobody in the room, there isn’t really a reason to leave it turned on. Leaving a fan turned on in a closed room could actually make it hotter because the motor gets hot.
Suggested: Why does my tower fan turn on by itself?
Potential Issues From Running Your Tower Fans for Too Long
It is always important to err on the side of caution because leaving your tower on can be potentially dangerous. These dangers include the following:
Overheating
One of the main issues associated with leaving your fan running continuously is overheating. However, this may depend on the type and model of your tower fan. Older models tend to overheat while newer models have a much higher tolerance level.
A tower fan has motors that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy so that the fan blades can turn and move the air. These motors will generally generate heat during this process, and running a fan continuously for extended periods poses the risk of high levels of heat generation.
Overheating is primarily associated with the tower fan’s design. Because these appliances are vertical in shape, air can get trapped in the fan’s interior, causing overheating. you might expect them to be self cooling but not all designs work like that.
Fire Hazard
Like any other electrical equipment, a tower fan can potentially cause a fire if left on for too long. As explained by ici2016.org, this can happen when you leave your tower fan on all night or all day long.
This does not mean that you have to run back to your home when you forget to turn your tower fan off. While this is certainly a risk, it is not guaranteed or even likely that leaving your fan on will cause a fire. It just means that, like any electrical appliance left running continuously for extended periods, there is a risk that it could catch fire.
Energy Costs
Tower fans are expensive to both buy and run. Therefore, you have to consider the additional costs associated with leaving your fan running continuously for days or even months. The longer your fan is on and running, the more money you will have to spend.
There aren’t really any downsides to turning off a tower fan so just turning it off when you leave the room can help you save a few bucks.
Possible Interventions to Reduce Risk of Running Fan Continuously
If you plan to leave your tower fan for an extended period of time, such as over 24 hours, there are some steps that you can take to reduce the safety and overheating risks, including the following:
- Run your fan on low settings to reduce energy costs and strain on internal components.
- Use your tower fan alternatively with different kinds of fans, such as a ceiling or box fan.
- Ensure that your fan is cleaned regularly to remove dust, dirt, or accumulated grime.
Does Leaving a Fan On Shorten The Lifespan?
Continuous operation has a positive impact on your tower fan’s durability. This is because repeated starts and stops over short periods cause a strain on the appliance during startup, which may negatively affect its durability.
This means that it is better to leave your fan on for eight hours, as compared to turning it on and off every few minutes. And even leaving it on for longer isn’t really an issue as long as the fan doesn’t overheat which can be prevented by regular cleaning and maintenance.
What Is the Lifespan of a Tower Fan?
Most tower fans feature sturdy construction for lasting use, and consequently, most of these units will last three years or more. However, overheating will reduce lifespan significantly. Sometimes a unit can be repaired after overheating but sometimes it can’t which mean buying a new fan or at least motor.
A tower fan is designed to last you for years. Unlike most traditional fans that feature lightweight aluminum construction, most modern fans are made from hardened plastic materials, making them sturdier and capable of withstanding the demands of extended use.
Even average quality tower fans are unlikely to break down, although they need regular inspection from three years onwards to ensure that they can still perform effectively.
