Did you know that homeowners spend about $29 billion per year on air conditioning in the US?
If you have an AC system in your home, you’ll want to be sure that you’re making the best use of it.
One of the decisions you’ll need to make is whether to have the AC fan on or auto. Both settings have their pros and cons, so which should you choose?
Read on as we take a closer look at the difference between having your AC set to on or auto.AC Fan On or Auto: What’s the Difference?
This is one of those air conditioning settings that you’ve probably set without ever really thinking about the difference.
The ‘on’ setting means that the fan continues to operate all the time. Even if your home has reached the desired temperature, and your HVAC system is no longer providing heating or cooling, the fan will continue to blow air into your home.
The ‘auto’ setting means that your HVAC system decides when the fan should blow and when to turn it off. In most cases, the fan will run when the AC is in operation and will turn off when the system stops.
Benefits of Fan On
You have both of these settings for a reason; both can offer some benefits. Here are some of the reasons why you may want to leave the fan on.
Better Air Quality
If your HVAC fan setting is set to ‘on’ it means that air continues to circulate all day long. That air gets passed through your filter, and never has time to remain still or stagnate.
By constantly moving filtered air through your home, leaving the fan on can provide you with better air quality.
Even Temperature Distribution
No home is completely sealed to the outside world. Hot or cold air can leak into or out of your home. This is most common in specific areas, such as around your doors and windows, which can lead to cold or hot spots around your home.
When the fan is running continuously, the hotter or colder air in your home gets circulated. You’ll never find yourself with hotter or colder parts of your rooms; the temperature distribution will be even.
Benefits of Auto
Setting your fan to ‘auto’ comes with its own benefits. Here are some of the most important.
Fewer Repairs
Every piece of mechanical equipment has a limited lifespan.
If you’re running your fan all day every day, it’s going to wear out more quickly than a fan that’s only getting used now and again. If your fan is running all the time, you’re going to need to replace it much sooner.
By extending the lifespan of your fan, not only will you be saving on the cost of replacing it, but also the costs involved in getting it installed.
Longer-Lasting Filters
Your filters are a key part of your AC system. They trap airborne particles and prevent them from being passed into your home. They also ensure that your AC system itself is protecting from damage.
When setting your AC unit to auto, you ensure that your filters aren’t having to filter air all day and all night. Since they’re doing less work, your filters will last longer, which will save you money in the long term.
When you purchase an air filter it will give an indication of how long it will last before it needs to be replaced. If you’re running your fan constantly, then you may need to replace your filter sooner than this, however.
Cooler in Summer, Warmer in Winter
When your AC isn’t running, the air in your ducts will heat up or cool down, depending on the outside temperature.
In summer, for example, when the AC isn’t running, the air in your ducts will begin to get warmer. If your fan is constantly running, that warm air gets blown into your home. As a consequence, the temperature in your home is going to rise.
Your AC will then need to kick in again much sooner than it would have if the fan hadn’t been running. By setting your fan to auto, it will cut off when your AC isn’t operating. That means that any warmer air will stay in the ducts, so your home will feel cooler.
Lower Energy Costs
One of the biggest deciding factors in running AC on or auto is the cost.
Running the fan uses energy. If it’s running non-stop all day then you’re going to be using much more energy than if your fan is automatically shutting off throughout the day.
You should see significant savings in your energy costs if you switch from ‘on’ to ‘auto’.
As mentioned above, with the fan set to auto, your home should feel cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. That means you’re less likely to need to use it as often, which will save you additional money.
Which Should You Choose?
As you can see, whether you have your AC fan on or auto, there will be some positives and some negatives.
You need to decide which pros and cons are more important to you; is temperature distribution more important, or would you prefer to cut down your bills? Answering this type of question will help you make an informed choice.
If you’re looking for installation, repairs, or tune-ups for your HVAC system, then we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of HVAC services for Ventura, Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara Counties.
