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.
Yes, you want the fan to run anytime the A/C is on. That is how the cold air gets blown into the space. Many A/C systems will kick the fan on automatically, but not all A/C systems will do this. Therefore, it is always best to have the system fan on whenever the A/C is on.
They should not be left on all the time. Some of the more advanced thermostats might use the fan to better circulate the air post-AC or heat running or pre-cool the home a little by running the fan. But in normal operation, it only runs with the furnace or AC does.
It only makes you FEEL cooler because it's moving air over your skin, carrying the heat away from your body. This is the wind chill factor you hear on the Weather Channel so often. So it's doing nothing to lower the temperature in your home, meaning your A/C will run just as long whether the fan is on or not.
All in all, it is better to leave your air conditioner's fan on auto, instead of “On” at all times. However, even though it's recommended to leave your home's AC on auto, there are some beneficial times to keep it switched on. In these following situations, it may be best to have your AC switched on.
Compared to the ON setting, the AUTO setting gives you benefits such as: Lower energy consumption. In AUTO mode, the blower fan only runs when necessary, which cuts down your AC system's energy usage. Reduced wear and tear on AC components.
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.
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.
Though ceiling fans do not physically cool air, they still help your AC to do its job of keeping you comfortable.
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.
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.
How Safe Is It to Leave the AC on During the Night? Technically, it is safe to leave the air conditioner on all night. As long as you schedule regular air conditioner maintenance and repair services, your unit should work perfectly for years and pose no threat to your household.
First, check your filters and coils for dirt and debris that may be impeding airflow. Once you've cleaned the filters and coils, run the air conditioner with just the fan so that the ice accumulation can melt off. If the AC still doesn't blow cold air, it could be that refrigerant levels are too low.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Saving money is one of the most obvious reasons to not keep the air conditioner fan on all the time. As you've probably guessed, when it's continuously in operation, it uses up a lot of energy. As a result, you could pay hundreds of dollars more in energy bills each year than you otherwise would.
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.
In general, wall and window air conditioning units with smaller capacities can typically run for up to eight hours at a time before they need to rest. Larger wall and window units have a longer running time of around 10 to 12 hours, depending on their cooling power.
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.
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.
Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months. When your fan is set to AUTO, moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.
AUTO is significantly more energy efficient between the two modes since the fan is only running when your AC is going through its cooling cycle. This takes less power, which is more budget-friendly, with some estimates showing you can save as much as $50 per month just by keeping your AC on AUTO.