Why should we not use a fan when AC is on?

Author: Prof. Dylan Spencer IV  |  Last update: Sunday, August 3, 2025

The air movement from a ceiling fan helps to keep the air from stratifying into hot and cold regions. Therefore, you avoid the cold feet/hot head effect that can otherwise happen. The downside is that running fan motors all the time, without cutting your A/C usage, will increase your power bill.

Is it OK to keep fan on while AC is on?

Yes it is a good idea to run the ceiling fan with AC on. It will ensure that the cold air circulates quickly in the room and help bring the temperature down quickly. In addition, you might not need to run AC in full blast and low temperature.

Why not use AC and fan together?

If you have a fan blowing air outside, it's going to pull air inside from anywhere it can like through leaky windows and doors, etc. Pulling in more hot & humid air from outside while you have your AC running will only combat your efforts to cool your home.

Should fan mode be on with AC?

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.

Should you use a fan with an air conditioner?

Yes, running a ceiling fan in conjunction with an air conditioning (AC) unit can be a good idea for several reasons: Improved Air Circulation: Ceiling fans help circulate the cool air produced by the AC, ensuring that the temperature is more uniform throughout the room.

Why should we use a Fan with our ACs?

What happens when AC and fan are on?

Benefits of Using Ceiling Fans with Air Conditioning

Wind chill effect: While it doesn't actually lower the temperature, the breeze of a ceiling fan evaporates humidity from your skin and lowers body heat. Circulation: Ceiling fans help circulate the cold air from the AC for more even temperature distribution.

Is leaving fan on bad for AC?

Cons of Keeping Your Fan On

A running fan uses lots of electricity to cycle. Plus, you'll decrease your AC's efficiency during the hot summer months. Your vents could blow hot air into your home, increasing your unit's regulation cycling. This will also greatly increase your energy bill during hot or cold seasons.

Can I run my AC on fan only?

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.

Is the fan supposed to be on when AC is on?

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.

What is the best fan setting for AC?

"AUTO" is the more energy-efficient option, as it runs the fan only when heating or cooling is actively needed. "ON" keeps the fan running continuously, which can help with air circulation and filtration but may consume more energy.

Is it bad to sleep with AC and fan?

A balanced solution is to use both together, with the AC set at a moderate temperature and a fan to help circulate cool air, reducing energy usage while keeping the room comfortable for restful sleep.

Does a fan reduce AC cooling?

Fans are the normal solution to circulate air and comfort ourselves, but that's overlooked if you have the AC installed in your room. We all know that fans only circulate air and do not reduce the room temperature.

How do you combine AC and fan?

If you turn on your ceiling fans, turn your air conditioner up 4 degrees to 80 degrees. The ceiling fan will keep you just as cool, at a reduced cost.

Is it OK to run your AC fan?

The fan will constantly blow air into your room if you have the thermostat turned “ON.” If it is on “AUTO,” it will only turn the fan on when heated air needs distribution. So yes, running HVAC continuously throughout the day and night is perfectly safe!

Can we switch on fan and AC together?

By turning on the ceiling fan along with the AC, you can create a wind chill effect that makes you feel cooler without having to lower the thermostat temperature. This can help save energy and reduce the strain on the AC unit.

Is it bad to leave AC fan on all night?

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.

Is fan mode good for AC?

Run Continuously: Setting the fan to run continuously can help in evenly distributing air and maintaining a consistent room temperature. Extend AC Life: Using fan mode can reduce the wear and tear on the compressor, extending the lifespan of your AC unit.

Should I leave the fan on or auto on my air conditioner?

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.

Does turning the fan on the AC help?

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.

Does running the fan on my air conditioner use a lot of electricity?

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. During the summer months, the ducts in your attic and close to your walls can fill with warm air, resulting in the fan blowing hot air into your house.

Why is AC not blowing cold air?

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.

Should the outside fan run when AC is on?

The short answer: Definitely not. (Unless you have manually engaged your outside fan to run constantly, but it shouldn't be running for hours on it's own.) If your HVAC is functioning correctly, it should keep your house cool by cycling on for 15-20 minutes at a time—with distinct pauses in between each cycle.

How long can AC run continuously?

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.

Do fans help AC run less?

Ceiling fans cannot lower room temperature like air conditioning does. However, they do help to provide a cool breeze that your AC cannot. Because ceiling fans help the AC, they also help to reduce energy costs as your AC unit is able to run more efficiently.

Is it bad to keep a fan on 24/7?

A ceiling fan is made up of different parts and pieces, and they will wear out over time. Sure, your ceiling fan can run throughout the day and night without issue, but running it for several days or months on end may not be the smartest choice and will reduce the overall lifetime of your fan.

Previous article
What are the problems with maple staining?
Next article
What is the best material for reusable cups?