Most experts tend to agree that leaving it on is a better option, but there are cases for both settings. In particular, you may want to keep it running if: People are at home for most of the day. You or anyone in your family suffer from allergies or respiratory problems.
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.
Increased Energy Consumption: While running your furnace fan continuously has benefits, it comes with a cost. Continuous fan operation consumes electricity, which can lead to higher energy bills. However, this increase is generally offset by the improved efficiency and comfort it provides.
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.
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.
Although it is perfectly safe to run HVAC continuously, there are a few times you should shut it down. First, if your home is experiencing high summer temperatures and you have ductwork in the attic. It is difficult for even the best-insulated systems to fight off extreme temperatures.
Before diving into details, here is the summary of the basics to know: –Yes, you can run an electric fan all day and night. However, fans that might have problems or look worn-out or suspicious should not be left running unattended. –Always check your fan to see if it is working.
When it comes to whether you should set your furnace fan to “on” or to “auto” in winter, the answer for me is “auto” because it's the move that has the most to do with energy efficiency. It is not, however, the only thing you can do this winter to bolster your HVAC system's energy efficiency.
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.
“Auto” means that your fan will only run when your HVAC system is cycling. You'll feel airflow right after a cycle starts, and the fan will stop when the cycle ends. “Circulate” means the fan is always on but at a very low setting. Not all HVAC systems have this option.
In some cases, like if you have an old model or if high temperatures make conditions dangerous, running your fan continuously is not a good idea. But in most other cases, continuous use of the furnace fan actually has a lot of benefits that will sway many homeowners to the affirmative.
A typical furnace fan uses 300 to 500 watts of electricity. Running the fan 24/7 can add $15 to $50 per month to your energy bill, depending on your local electricity rates.
Better Temperature Distribution – Keeping your furnace fan running continuously throughout the day will better regulate the temperature of your home. Rooms that might get hotter during the day will experience less fluctuation, making it ideally suited for multi-story homes where heat tends to rise.
If your fan limit switch is set to AUTO but the fan continues to run without ever stopping, you'll need to call a professional. Two problems that could cause your fan to run without stopping include: A bad fan limit switch that needs to be replaced. Bad thermostat wiring.
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.
During the coldest days in winter, it is normal for a furnace to run almost constantly to keep the home warm. As long as the furnace is running efficiently and not making strange noises, the constant operation is likely nothing to worry about. But in general, your furnace should not constantly be running.
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 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.
If your furnace filter gets too dirty, it will restrict the air flow and force your HVAC system to work much harder to maintain the temperature in your home and causing high electric bills.
If we assume an average of 10 hours on and 14 hours off per day, energy costs are reduced by 60% to about $18 per month or $215 per year. Bottom line – If you run the fan in AUTO mode, you'll save about $300 per year. If you do want to run the fan continuously, there are a few important things you'll need to consider…
So generally speaking, it makes sense to run the fan constantly, or use the circulate option on a thermostat, if there is minimal heating/cooling taking place and you aren't opening the windows for ventilation or air movement.
The heater might blow cold air rather than warm if the gas line supply has been turned off. This usually happens when something goes wrong with the heater, and it breaks. For example, maybe there was a problem with a gas valve, the gas supply pipe, or something else in your furnace broke down.
The air blown out by your fan can irritate your sinuses, dry out your nose, mouth, and throat, and trigger your body to produce excessive mucus, leading to congestion and headaches. Apart from this, sleeping with a fan can result in a sore throat. The constant breeze may cause discomfort if you have allergies.
This approach can reduce wear and tear on the air conditioning equipment because the fan doesn't have to start and stop as often. Running the fan on the AC all the time also helps maintain a more consistent and even temperature throughout your home because air is constantly circulating, eliminating hot and cold spots.
(Fans in windows can blow cooler air into a room from outside.) Fans do not cool the air, so air currents flowing over the body must be cooler than your body temperature to cool you down. When indoor air temperatures are hotter than about 95 °F: Fan use may cause your body to gain heat instead of lose it.