No, using a window air conditioner in fan mode does not use the same amount of electricity as running it in cooling mode. The fan mode and cooling mode serve different purposes and have distinct power requirements.
Fan Mode: When you run the air conditioner in fan mode, it only operates the fan to circulate air within the room. This mode does not involve cooling the air, so it consumes significantly less electricity compared to the cooling mode. The fan mode is useful when you want to improve air circulation or simply want the feeling of air movement without the cooling effect.
Cooling Mode: Running the air conditioner in cooling mode is when it actively cools the air by using the refrigeration cycle to remove heat from the room. The cooling process requires a compressor to work, which consumes a substantial amount of electricity. Cooling mode is effective when you want to lower the temperature in the room and maintain a comfortable environment during hot weather.
In summary, using the fan mode on your air conditioner will consume much less electricity compared to running it in cooling mode, where the compressor is actively working to cool the air. If your main goal is to save energy, you can use the fan mode when the cooling effect is not required, and switch to the cooling mode when you need to lower the temperature.