A common misconception about furnaces is that running your HVAC fan nonstop will cause it to give out early. However, this isn't the case, especially with newer units designed to run 24/7. Consistent fan operation should not be an issue if your HVAC system was installed by experienced professionals.
Running it continuously may lead to more frequent maintenance and repair needs. However, the added comfort and air quality benefits often outweigh these concerns. Noise: If you're sensitive to background noise, you might find the constant hum of the furnace fan bothersome.
If you decide to leave your furnace fan on for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, you won't damage the fan. You'll just damage your family finances, because your electric bill will jump up. Furnace fans can draw between 600 and 800 watts, which is a lot of power.
Noise: A continuously running fan can create unwanted noise, which might be disruptive, especially at night. System Efficiency: Most HVAC systems are designed to operate with the fan cycling on and off with the compressor. Running the fan continuously can disrupt this cycle and reduce overall system efficiency.
Your blower motor circulates air through the furnace and can provide uniform temperatures. Many people leave their HVAC fan on all day, while others opt for two to three cycles per hour, ranging from ten to 25 minutes, depending on how close to heating or cooling temperatures they are.
The blower motor is particularly sensitive to dust and dirt; when it gets too dirty, it can't ventilate itself and may overheat.
Although it could run for over a 24 hour period, it is still best to turn off your ceiling fan when you are at work or out of the house for an extended time to give the ceiling fans' motor a rest and reduce electricity use and cost.
Fans that are left on constantly can use more electricity than they should, and their blades will become dull quickly, even without being used. – Clean it regularly. The one major risk that you have when running an electric fan all day long is dust and debris building upon its surface.
The fan will constantly blow air into your room if you have the thermostat turned “ON.” If it is on “AUTO,” it will only turn the fan on when heated air needs distribution. So yes, running HVAC continuously throughout the day and night is perfectly safe!
The standard settings for most furnace fan limit switches are 200°F to shut off the burner, 130°F to turn off the blower, and 100°F to turn the blower back on.
The average kWh in the US costs about $0.12 so it costs about $43 per month, or about $520 per year, to run a fan continuously. At this point, it should be pretty obvious that AUTO costs less than ON but let's math it out to its logical conclusion.
It isn't bad to run your heating system on a 24/7 basis if outdoor weather conditions demand indoor warmth. For many households, maintaining a constant indoor temperature is the only way to survive the winter. Just be aware that this is likely to cause additional wear and tear on your heating system.
If this is the case, then you'll need to find the fan limit switch and move it back into automatic mode. This will ensure that your furnace fan runs only when necessary and not continuously. The fan limit switch is typically located near the blower motor or in the control box.
Generally, running the fan for 15-20 minutes per hour is sufficient for adequate air circulation. However, longer fan run times may be necessary for specific conditions like hot and humid weather or improved air filtration.
Since the AUTO setting means the fan is only engaged when the system is on, rather than constantly blowing, AUTO is the most energy-efficient option between the two settings. This means you'll be using less energy and saving money on your electric bill by using the AUTO setting.
Running the Fan Continuously
This offers benefits for your home such as: Improved air circulation throughout your living spaces. Enhanced indoor air quality by filtering air continuously. Reduced motor stress by minimizing frequent starts and stops.
Some homeowners naturally worry about the risks of a breakdown if they run the fan all the time, but this will not be a concern for you if your HVAC system was properly installed and maintained. The only possible exception here is a very old fan system, which should generally be replaced in the near future anyways.
In most cases, your HVAC system does not pull air from outside when it is heating or cooling your home. Instead, it recirculates the air inside your home.
Problem 1: Incorrect thermostat settings The most common reason for a furnace fan that won't shut off or a furnace blowing cold air and won't shut off is the wrong thermostat settings. The solution: Check the thermostat settings. The fan setting should be on AUTO. If it's set to ON, the furnace fan won't shut off.
Running your furnace fan continuously in winter has its pros and cons. It can improve air circulation and quality but may also lead to higher energy bills and increased wear on your system.
It could cost you hundreds of dollars a year. The average unit has a 500 watt fan, which uses almost as much energy over the course of the year as a refrigerator, resulting in a $50/month bill.
If you'd like to calculate your ideal HVAC fan runtime, here's a simple formula: Measure the square footage of your home. Divide the square footage by 2. This number represents the number of minutes your HVAC fan should run per hour.
However, keeping the ceiling fan on 24/7, especially when nobody is in the home, is a waste of energy and money. Since it cannot heat or cool the air in the room, running the fan for an extended period of time is not applicable.
Only use your fan when the outdoor air is cooler than your indoor air. Make sure your A/C is off when you run the fan to avoid wasting energy. We recommend running the whole house fan all night. The goal is to cool your entire house down, not just the air.