Should I let the air conditioner fan run all the time (the “on” setting on the thermostat) or only periodically (the “auto” setting on the thermostat)?
Fans require a significant amount of electrical energy to operate. For indoor fans, this energy ends up in the form of heat inside the house, thus adding to the cooling requirement that the air conditioner must meet. So in addition to paying to operate the fan, you will have to pay to remove its heat. The SEER rating for your system was determined assuming “auto” fan operation. Continuous fan operation also reduces dehumidification. For these reasons, fan operation should be restricted to those times when it is providing some tangible benefit. Sometimes comfort will improve with continuous fan operation by providing a more uniform temperature throughout the house. Air movement also tends to make the body feel comfortable at higher temperatures, possibly allowing you to adjust the thermostat to a higher setpoint.
Related Questions
- Is there any advantage to letting the air conditioner or heat pump fan run all the time (the "on" setting on the thermostat) instead of periodically (the "auto" or "automatic" setting on the thermostat)?
- Should I let the air conditioner fan run all the time (the "on" setting on the thermostat) or only periodically (the "auto" setting on the thermostat)?
- Is it a good Idea to run the fan on thermostat all the time to circulate air?
