Less frequent starts and stops of the fan can reduce the stress from startup, and potentially help extend it's lifespan. Leaving the fan on 24/7 ensures cleaner air, as the air is pulled through the filtration or UV light system. This can be better for people with allergies.
The AC uses less energy in fan mode than when cooling. But running the fan all the time can increase the amount of maintenance your HVAC system might need. That's because the filter can clog up sooner and mechanical wear and tear can accelerate.
Unless you're running your AC fan when the system isn't cooling. That will probably make you less comfortable, not more. If you're running your AC fan 24/7, you should probably stop. You'll usually feel cooler if you let the fan turn off between cooling cycles.
Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously.
As previously mentioned, newer models of furnace systems include fans that are designed to run continuously. Assuming that your heating equipment was properly installed by a professional and has correctly-sized ductwork, letting the fan run continuously may actually help extend its service life.
A higher wattage fan will require more electricity and therefore reduce its lifespan if it runs continuously for too long. Motor Temperature: Motors generate heat when they're running and this heat needs to be dissipated to keep the fan running efficiently.
You can run a ceiling fan practically for ever without worrying about heat issues. It creates enough air flow to carry away any heat it may be producing. The wear and tear on the mechanical parts is another matter though. Running it slower will usually heat the regulator than the fan's motor.
The cost of air conditioning
It takes significantly more energy for an air conditioner to move heat around than it takes a fan to blow air onto your skin. As a result, parking yourself in front of a fan is significantly more energy efficient. Fans use around 1% of the electricity consumed by air conditioners.
Fan mode is not very effective for better comfort if the room is too hot or too humid (in this case, a ceiling fan is advised). Fan mode is best for climates where little air circulation is needed.
While it is true that the fan alone uses less energy than the AC, leaving it on will almost certainly result in higher utility bills. Running the fan constantly also increases your system's maintenance needs. That's because the more you run the fan, the faster your filter will get clogged.
Don't leave your fan running overnight or while you are out of the house. Once you've had your electric fan for a few years, think about replacing it as older motors can overheat. Don't balance the fan on the edge of the counter, or anywhere that it could fall off.
Your HVAC fan should turn on and off with the rest of your heating and cooling system. It's normal for the fan to kick on a couple of minutes before heating starts or to stay on for a couple of minutes after cooling stops, but your fan shouldn't run for hours on its own.
When the fan is on “auto,” it cycles on and off in tandem with the HVAC equipment. Leaving it on this setting throughout the summer makes the cooling equipment's job easier, since it doesn't have to overcome re-circulated heat and humidity during every cycle.
Check Your Thermostat Settings
A constantly running fan will increase your utility bills and produce more humidity in your home because it will just blow warm air around without the AC absorbing moisture and heat.
An example 18-inch bladed floor fan uses up to 110 watts at full speed, which is 0.1 kWh. So if you're paying 30p for energy, it'd cost 3p an hour to run. Over 10 hours, it would cost 30p. Compared to an example bladeless fan, which uses 56 watts or 0.056 kWh, its cost per hour is 1p.
Therefore to figure out the cost of using your fan, you need to know the kWh it consumes. For nine hours of continuous use, uSwitch has reported that a pedestal fan on average costs 18p, while a desktop fan would cost around 10p over the nine hours.
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.
(This is for 50-100 watts.) For one day, a 200-watt fan would use 4.8-kilowatt hours.) Electricity prices vary, but 10 cents per kilowatt hour is a fair starting point. So, multiplying again, we obtain 12 to 24 cents daily to run a fan.
If the fan is set to “on,” change the setting to “auto,” so it's only running when the air conditioner is running. Turn the fan switch to “off” and back to “auto.” If the fan doesn't turn off, even when you flip the switch to the “off” position, your system may require a thermostat replacement.
What is AC Fan Mode? Essentially, your air conditioner unit's fan mode controls the blower fan. You can choose to run the fan continuously or only when the AC is on. This setting helps circulate air in your home, but it won't produce any new cold air.
Does it bring in fresh air? No, air conditioners do not bring in fresh air from the outside. That's not how they were designed. What actually happens is that your air conditioner uses a fan to draw air into the unit and disperse it through a structure.
Flip the AC Fan to Auto
If you are running the air conditioning fan constantly, the moisture will blow back into your home. That's why it's more efficient to flip the fan to “auto” so it is only running when the AC compressor starts. You should be able to adjust this setting easily on your thermostat.
The results found that running a fan in a sleeping infant's room lowered the risk for SIDS by 72 percent. That risk was lowered even further when the infant's sleeping conditions put him or her at higher risk for SIDS, such as sleeping in a warm room or sleeping on the stomach.
What Room Temperature Is Too Hot for a Baby? A baby room temperature above 72 degrees Fahrenheit, or 22 degrees Celsius, may be too warm. An older study from California found that using a fan when temperatures rose above 70 degrees was associated with a lower risk of SIDS.