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.
The central downside of running your fan continuously is the potential for a rising energy bill each month. Running the fan constantly uses a bit more energy, as you might expect, and this can increase your utility bill.
You should also be cautious of running your furnace fan continuously if you have ductwork in your attic and it's a hot summer day. Since heat rises, the temperatures up there could reach around 140 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the fan could pull heat from the attic into your home.
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.
Pros of Running Your Furnace Fan Continuously
Improved Air Circulation: One primary benefit of continuously running your furnace fan is better air circulation. In a city like Calgary, where winters can be brutally cold, ensuring even distribution of warm air is crucial.
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.
Do not run your whole house fan during the day unless the temperature outside is cooler than the house is inside, though you may want to run the fan during the day to push air out of the attic. To do so, direct airflow from either the basement or the shady side of the home.
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.
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.
If a standard air conditioner is in good order, it can run continuously without a problem. Wall or window AC units should only run eight to 12 hours before you turn them off. Running your AC nonstop will lead to higher electric bills and more repairs.
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.
Lower Heating and Cooling Costs – It may sound counterintuitive that running a fan all day would lower your electricity bill, but it can often be the case—provided that you have a newer furnace installed.
Extra Hot days (over 100 degrees)
On some extremely hot summer nights, it will not cool off enough to run the whole house fan while you are awake at all. Use your whole house fan system for cooling the attic on these nights, to maximize a/c performance during the evening.
Unfortunately, operating the fan continuously during the summer can lead to comfort, health, and property damage risks – mainly because of high indoor humidity. The EPA states, “Sometimes, humidity or dampness (water vapor) in the air can supply enough moisture for mold growth.
Your blower motor may show these signs when it starts to overheat: A hot or burning smell as your units operate. It is usually followed by the complete furnace shut-off. Loud humming noise and other odd sounds.
Running the HVAC fan by itself usually does not bring in outside air. The fan's job is to move air around your home. When you set your HVAC to “fan” mode, it circulates the air that's already inside your house. However, some systems have a fresh air intake that can bring in outside air when the fan is running.
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.
Running the Fan Continuously vs.
Anything that runs 24/7 will deteriorate faster than something that has rest periods. Even the ongoing stops and starts when you set the fan to auto are less damaging than what happens with months or years of constant use.
When the fan is running, it helps to filter out any dust, pollen, or other allergens that may be floating around in your home. This can be especially beneficial if anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma. Finally, leaving your furnace fan running all the time can save you money in the long run.
Keeping the fan on creates a more even distribution of heating and cooling, circulating the air if you have cold or hot spots in your house, like a bedroom above a garage. Less frequent starts and stops of the fan can reduce the stress from startup, and potentially help extend it's lifespan.
How Much Electricity Does a Ceiling Fan Use? Ceiling fans come in a variety of wattages, but a standard 48-inch model uses about 75 watts per hour on average. This would cost you about $0.01 per hour, or $6 per month if you leave your ceiling fan on 24/7 all month.
One of the easiest ways to reduce dust in your home is simply to turn on your HVAC fan after dusting or vacuuming by switching your thermostat from “auto” to “on.” This allows your HVAC system's filter to remove any airborne dust from your home before it can settle or continue to circulate through your home.
Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously.
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.