An electric fan has a drive motor having a fan rotor, an apparatus for generating a rotation speed signal (n_i), an apparatus for generating a power level signal (P_i) that represents power consumed; a first regulator (n_RGL) for regulating the rotation speed signal (n_i) to a predefined target value (n_s); a second regulator (P_RGL) for regulating the power level signal (P_i) to a predefined power level signal target value (P_s) that corresponds to a predefined minimum consumed power level (P_min), where the first regulator (n_RGL) and the second regulator (P_RGL) apply at least one control output signal (SW) to the drive motor and interact in such a way that, during operation, the at least one control value (SW) in a first state is determined by the first regulator (n_RGL), and in a second state is determined by the second regulator (n_RGL).