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. “What’s more energy efficient – ON or AUTO? Well, that depends on what special factors you may have in your home. When the fan is set to On, it blows continuously, circulating and filtering air regardless of whether the air conditioner is in cooling mode. One way to cut back on the energy bill is to just use the fan option on the air conditioner. Leaving that fan on 24/7 is great for cleansing allergens from the air ⦠Reasons your AC fan may be running continuously include: The fan is set to ON instead of AUTO; Thermostat is broken ; The outside temperature is high; A relay switch is broken; Short circuit Freon Soon To Be Discontinued (R-22) Help for AC Owners. When your systemâs air filter is full of dirt and debris, the flow of air is restricted, which can impede the functioning of your air conditioner. Many heating and cooling appliances with a fan option that, while still blowing warm or cool air, is not using the main power of the unit. When your fan is continuously moving the air, it helps to dry it out. PROS â Leaving Furnace/Central Air Fan Run 24/7. Let’s start by making sure we’re on the same page with regards to definitions: Let’s also assume we’re talking about a central air system with a blower motor (fan) located inside the home. Therefore, the fan uses about 360 kWh per month in the ON mode. We often hear the debate around whether or not to run your AC Fan continuously. Plus, learn these 21 air conditioner maintenance and home cooling tips. It could cost you hundreds of dollars a year. The fan mode and switches are one such example. All Rights Reserved © US Inspect Group, Inc. 2020. Therefore, if you run the fan continuously for a 30-day month (720 hours), you would use 360,000 watt hours (720 x 500) or 360 kilowatt hours (kWh). By running the furnace fan all the time, you are also running air through your furnace filter constantly. This results in healthier indoor air ⦠Learn how to troubleshoot and fix an AC fan that stays on. However, if your AC is running continuously and never turning off, this isnât normal and you likely have a problem with your air conditioner. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. The only way to stop it is when I flip off the power at the breaker box. 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. This allows you to set the fan on for a certain amount of time every hour. A fan that runs continuously typically means thereâs a bigger issue. Better dehumidification. There are a few positives to this feature. 6 Common Causes of Air Conditioning Leaks. The fan limit switch is responsible for turning ⦠First of all, depending on the type of motor the furnace has, having the fan on continuously may add several hundred dollars to the home's electric bill. When the thermostat senses that the house has reached the setpoint, it shuts off both the cooling and the fan. Less frequent starts and stops of the fan can reduce the stress from startup, and potentially help extend itâs lifespan. We deliver the best home inspections in your neighborhood. The other answer I’ve heard is that ‘It costs just as much to run the fan on as it does when the AC is also running,’ but I thought fans require low power so that doesn’t seem to make sense to me, either.”. The best thing you can do to avoid costly AC Repairs is to make sure you are maintaining your unit properly. If you do want to run the fan continuously, there are a few important things you’ll need to consider…. Those problems are explained. Plus, the air in your home will be cleaner because itâs ⦠Note that some systems and thermostats have another option called “Circulate”. The fan’s “AUTO” setting works with your heating + cooling system, so your fan is running the least amount of time needed, at the slowest speed. AUTO mode = Fan is on only when heat or AC is triggered by the thermostat setting. More frequent starts and stops will make the fan wear out faster. It may seem logical to think that a fan for an air conditioner is the same as a fan that you use in a room, thought this is not the case. Your air conditioner's fan operates independently from the cooling unit, circulating air throughout your home. Benefits of Always Running Your Furnace Fan. For instance, perhaps you have severe allergies. Running your homeâs furnace fan all the time is not a bad thing. The blower will automatically run at different speeds, giving you the benefits of lower electricity bills and increased comfort. Inside of your air conditioning unit, there is something known as the âblowerâ. Leaving the fan on 24/7 ensures cleaner air, as the air is pulled through the filtration or UV light system (assuming you have one of these features). The only other time your blower fan should be running on its own is if you've flipped the thermostat switch to "on" to temporarily run your blower fan for increased air circulation. Restrictive filters. Clogged air filter. Therefore, if you run the fan continuously for a 30-day month (720 hours), you would use 360,000 watt hours (720 x 500) or 360 kilowatt hours (kWh). Air Conditioner Compressor Is Not Working, and Fan Is Running. Using the pros and cons above you can decide for yourself what will work best for you. This is sometimes simple to resolve. At the furnace or air conditioner air handler or blower unit: the fan limit switch may include a switch that manually keeps the fan running. Most systems offer two fan settings: On and Auto. In this case, maybe it would be worth running the heating and cooling fan even when the air conditioner itself isnât running. Itâs actually designed to run continuously. It can encourage biological growth and make you feel warmer in summer. We offer new customer specials as well as regular maintenance program – called Bayside Comfort Care. A typical AC fan motor uses about 500 watts when it’s running. You wonât have to worry about the fan wearing out or breaking. With a 500-watt motor, this can be significant! Of course one of the best ways to save money is to regularly maintain your unit. These systems are usually “closed loop systems,” which circulate conditioned air (heat or AC) throughout the home via ductwork and vents in the floor, walls and ceilings. Fan motor uses about 360 kWh per month in the News: should I Leave the fan for... Indoor air ⦠Clogged air filter be cooled, keeping the room at a more comfortable.! 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