Running the blower fan constantly in summer can pull more warm air into your home. As a result, you may need to run your AC system more frequently. But running the fan at night, when it's cooler, can reduce the demand. Since the fan will run only during certain hours, wear and tear may be less of a concern.
You should run the fan on your air conditioner during cooler parts of the day or when the temperature is not too high. It's also useful when you want to circulate already-cooled air or when the room feels stuffy. Using the fan mode can help save energy as it consumes less power than the cooling mode.
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.
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.
By using the fan, the Ac need not be on a very cold setting which costs more money. Conclusion: Using Fan along with air conditioner results in the following: Faster cooling – Fan helps to cool your home faster.
Pros of Continuous Fan
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. Those who use this format find fewer issues with temperature imbalances between floors, for instance.
In fan mode, your air conditioner will circulate air in your home without changing the temperature. This is useful when you want to just keep the air circulating without running the compressor and using energy unnecessarily.
You can run your system's fan independently of heating or cooling. So your system doesn't need to be actively heating or cooling to run the fan. However, you can only run the fan when your thermostat is set to a temperature mode (like Cool mode, for example).
Power Consumption: Fan Mode :
The AC is not producing cool air but you are getting improved ventilation which helps lower temperatures to some degree. An AC unit on Fan mode usually consumes about 150W with the fan running, while the AC unit consumes 1000W when on default or Cool mode.
Therefore, the fan uses about 360 kWh per month in the ON mode. 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.
When the California summer heat rolls in, pairing your AC with a ceiling fan is your best defense. By correctly setting the fan's direction, adjusting the thermostat, and a few other simple strategies, you can keep your home cool without driving up your energy bill.
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.
To strike a balance between comfort and efficiency, running the fan for 15-20 minutes per hour is typically recommended. However, in certain situations, longer fan run times may be necessary, particularly during hot and humid weather or for enhanced air filtration and ventilation.
The blower fan uses around 500 watts per hour to run. That's a huge difference! This is why running only the fan (regardless of which method you use) to help keep cool can save you significantly on your energy bills. Of course, the fan on its own doesn't have the cooling power of the air conditioner.
Setting your thermostat to auto will allow your system to be more energy-efficient since the fan only runs when the system cycles on, not continuously.
Many AC units come with a sleep mode or timer feature, allowing you to set a specific duration for the AC to run before shutting off automatically. According to the International Energy Agency, using these features can save up to 30% of the energy consumed by an air conditioner .
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.
Heating and cooling: 45-50%
The largest electricity consumer in the average household is your heating and cooling appliance. By a long shot. Central air conditioners and heaters use tons of energy in order to keep your home set to the right temperature.
Even with the AC off, running the fan helps circulate air. You might not need cooling, yet your house feels stuffy. Running the blower can increase ventilation without turning on the AC and consuming more electricity. That's if you don't keep the blower running for too long.
The fan setting pulls air through the filter continuously, offering an effective way to clean the air if you're suffering from poor indoor air quality. If you're dusting, vacuuming, sweeping, or completing projects that release odors and particles into the air, consider turning on the fan setting while you work.
Leaving the fan running reduces wear and tear on the motor since it's not starting and stopping repeatedly. It's also beneficial to boost filtration, but leaving it on this setting has more drawbacks than benefits. When it runs nonstop, the fan consumes more energy, and the air filter needs frequent 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.
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.
WHAT IS THE BEST MODE FOR AC IN SUMMER? In summer, the best mode for your air conditioner is the "Cool" mode, set to a comfortable temperature around 78°F when you're home. This setting efficiently reduces indoor humidity and maintains a comfortable environment without overworking the AC system.
Air conditioning can run you hundreds of dollars every month to cool your home, while running a fan in that same time frame costs about as much as a large cup of coffee. Cool air can circulate around your home evenly, without racking up a hefty bill.