There are multiple mechanical parts to an air conditioner and the cold air circulating throughout your home can’t do it without a fan. The fan circulation is what allows you to enjoy cooler temperatures in every room. However, there are two main fan settings that are common on most thermostats. The ON setting and the AUTO setting, but wait, which one should you use? The labels aren’t particularly clear to the layperson, but there is a distinction:
- On means that the fan is constantly running, pushing air throughout the house whether the air conditioner is cooling or not.
- Auto means the opposite where the fan only moves when the air conditioner is in cooling mode.
Still confused on which setting to use? There are many pros and cons for both settings depending on your personal preferences.
On
- Indoor Air Quality is always at its peak because air circulation filters and replaces the air constantly therefore new fresh air is being introduced into the home.
- However, you do have to change your air filters more often with the constant filtration
- Always on means higher electricity bills because it’s constantly utilizing that fan motor which will probably have to be replaced more often.
- Always on also means that even when the air conditioner is not in cooling mode, it is still pulling in air and in the Highland Lakes Area, this means humid air is being pulled back into the house which is counterproductive to comfort.
Auto
- Since the fan is not always running, the electricity bill will be lower, so energy efficiency is improved.
- Also, since the fan motor is not being utilized 100% of the time, fan motor replacements are father in between.
- However, having the fan not on all the time will cause stagnant air in between air conditioning cooling modes, which means indoor air quality suffers as more pollen and dust can linger in the home.
The Choice Is Yours
Overall, it’s up to you to decide if you prefer energy efficiency and savings on your electric bills or keeping your air as clean as possible. You can also investigate options like air conditioner systems with two stage systems or utilizing a WiFi thermostat. If you need more help deciding what to do or getting your fan set up properly, have an expert HVAC technician from Ken’s come lend a hand.
