Yes, air conditioners generally consume more electricity than fans, especially during night time when there is no sunlight available for charging the batteries of UPS/inverters through solar panels. Here's why:
Energy efficiency: Air conditioners are designed to cool the air by using a refrigeration cycle, which requires a significant amount of electricity to operate. Fans, on the other hand, simply move air around without cooling it, and they are generally more energy-efficient.
Power consumption: Air conditioners have higher power ratings compared to fans. A typical air conditioner can consume several hundred to a few thousand watts of power, whereas a fan usually consumes only tens to a few hundred watts.
Cooling capacity: Air conditioners are capable of cooling an entire room or a specific area, which requires a lot of energy to achieve the desired temperature. Fans, while they don't cool the air, can create a cooling effect by circulating air and increasing evaporation from the skin, which can make you feel more comfortable without using as much electricity.
Battery usage: If you're relying on solar panels to charge batteries for UPS/inverters during the day, you would need to manage your energy usage carefully at night. Air conditioners draw a lot of power from the batteries, which can deplete them relatively quickly, especially if the battery capacity is limited. Fans, being more energy-efficient, would allow your batteries to last longer during the night.
In situations where you are solely relying on stored energy in batteries during the night, it is generally more practical to use fans instead of air conditioners to conserve energy and prolong the battery life. Fans provide a reasonable level of comfort while consuming significantly less electricity compared to air conditioners.