Which Consumes Less Energy? AC Fan On or in Auto?

July 16, 2020

During the high temperatures, using your air conditioning can be your highest monthly utility expense. So, it’s normal that you’re checking for approaches to consume less energy. That can involve finding an energy-efficient AC setting or even upgrading to an ENERGY STAR®-rated unit through air conditioner installation.

Changing your air conditioning’s fan setting is a second way you can conserve money.

Your air conditioner relies on a fan to distribute the cold air it makes. You manage this fan at your thermostat by switching it to “auto,” which indicates the fan will only be on when the air conditioner is going. Or you can set it to “on,” which signifies it will be on constantly.

Does putting your AC on “fan” save energy in Northglenn? Not necessarily. Typically, operating your air conditioner’s fan all day is going to drive up your energy bill slightly.

But it also has a few perks (and drawbacks) as far as your residence’s comfort. Here’s why.

Air Conditioner Fan Set to “On”

Having your air conditioner’s fan operate all day can better stabilize your family’s comfort. This is great if you own a two-story house, since rooms upstairs can be warmer. It’s also ideal if you have difficulties with uneven cooling due to hot and cold areas.

It’s also beneficial if someone in your household has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems. That’s since the air is constantly being distributed and purified. However, you may have to install new air filters more frequently.

Having the fan on all the time can also make your energy bills more expensive. It could also make the fan wear out faster and need air conditioning repair.

Your residence may also seem more humid. Air conditioning helps control humidity by extracting moisture from the air. But if the fan is continually going, it’s challenging for moisture to drip from the condenser externally.

Air Conditioner Fan Set to “Auto”

This is the highest energy-efficient setting, as the fan will only run when your air conditioner does. It’s great if your house always feels comfortable, regardless of which area you’re in.

There are a few disadvantages to using the auto setting. You could run into hot and cold areas in your house and lower air quality. This is because air isn’t always moving or being repeatedly filtrated.

On the other hand, you’ll require reduced energy and won’t need to replace your air filter as regularly. Both are savings that can build up during the year, so you’ll have to think over what’s right for your needs.

If you’re having home comfort problems during the summer, Northglenn Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. can assist you. We have a wide range of energy-efficient air conditioners that can keep your house more pleasant while also helping you save more on electrical bills. Many are also compatible with the latest smart home technology, giving you the opportunity to oversee and regulate home comfort settings while on the go.

To find out more about how we can make your house more comfortable, contact us at 303-452-4146 now.