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.
Absolutely not. The job of the HVAC fan is to distribute the refrigerated air from the cooling coil to the various locations in the structure. Once that is done, the fan's job is over. That's not to say the fan shouldn't be run continuously. It does make the house more comfortable, but it doesn't save energy.
Leaving your Air Conditioning Thermostat fan setting on RUN instead of AUTO will cause mold damages to your home and contents. It's nothing something that will happen overnight, but leaving the fan on for months, especially during the summer, will cause you to have mold problem.
This means, that in turn, when your setting is turned on auto less electricity is used. When your fan and air conditioner are running all the time, more electricity is produced. All in all, it is better to leave your air conditioner's fan on auto, instead of “On” at all times.
A typical AC fan motor uses about 500 watts when it's running. Therefore, if you run the fan continuously for a 30-day month (720 hours), you would use 360,000 watt hours (720 x 500) or 360 kilowatt hours (kWh). Therefore, the fan uses about 360 kWh per month in the ON mode.
Cons to Keeping Fan Continuously Running:
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.
Yes, it is perfectly fine to keep your AC in fan mode. This setting allows the fan to run continuously, circulating air without using the compressor to cool it. This can be particularly useful during mild weather or when you want to save energy by not cooling the air but still need some air movement.
Positioning your fan so that it is near the A/C vent helps distribute cold air faster and more efficiently than the A/C alone could. This helps circulating air for a larger area and cool the room quickly. By using the fan, the Ac need not be on a very cold setting which costs more money.
Because ceiling fans help the AC, they also help to reduce energy costs as your AC unit is able to run more efficiently. Each room will have a more even distribution of cool air so that it is more comfortable.
As it turns out, the most efficient way to keep your home cool and the bills low is to leave the AC running—ideally, with the temperature turned up toward the upper 70s.
You can run the fan independently of the AC by switching the fan to “Fan On,” which will keep the blower fan running whether there's a demand for cooling or not. The AC can still come on, but you'll have continuous air circulation when it's not. You can also shut the AC off completely so only the fan runs.
A fan's housing will get warm after prolonged use due to the fan's motor generating heat when converting electricity into movement. This heat is why many people think it is unsafe to leave fans running; however, it is normal and will dissipate from the fan's housing and not exceed a safe limit.
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.
You can expect a more considerable maintenance burden if you run the fan continuously, even if you're running the AC fan without cooling. The filter will clog sooner, and the mechanical parts need more frequent attention to avoid breakdowns.
In normal operation, no, the radiator fan doesn't run all the time. The fan is hooked to a sensor that measures the coolant temperature in the radiator, and when the temperature gets a little on the high side, the sensor will (basically) send a signal that turns the fan on.
As long as you are staying comfortable, your home is reaching set thermostat temperature on very hot days and airflow from vents is normal, and your energy bills are about the same as they were last year – there's likely not a problem.
The primary benefit of running your HVAC fan consistently: Air circulation improvements. Running the fan more often means air in your home circulates faster, leading to everything from more even temperature distribution to faster heating or cooling.
For example, a standard central air conditioner, like the one you probably have in your house, consumes between 3,000 and 3,500 watts of electricity per hour. That same AC when only the fan is running consumes 500 watts of electricity per hour. That's an enormous difference!
Consequences of Running Your Air Conditioner 24 Hours a Day
Wasted energy: Running the AC to cool your home beyond your comfort level wastes energy and contributes to an increased carbon footprint. This is bad news for the environment and your energy bills.
Energy Efficiency: When cooling or heating is not required, using the 'Fan' mode alone consumes less energy than running the full HVAC system. This is particularly beneficial during mild weather conditions.
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.
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.
Pros of Keeping Your Fan On
First, running fans contribute to even temperature distribution. This reduces the hot spots in your house. Hot spots occur when an area doesn't receive the same temperature-controlled air as other rooms. You'll also enjoy improved air quality in your home.
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.
Eco or energy-saving mode
This is the ideal mode for users looking to save up on energy bills by toning down the performance of the AC and its compressor. Eco-mode uses less electricity by automatically adjusting the fan speed and temperature, while still maintaining a comfortable level of cooling.