During the hot weather, using your air conditioning can be your largest monthly utility charge. So, it’s given that you’re looking for ways to consume less energy. That may involve using an energy-efficient AC setting or even upgrading to an ENERGY STAR®-rated unit during air conditioner installation.
Adjusting your air conditioning’s fan setting is another way you can spend less money.
Your air conditioner relies on a fan to dispatch the cool air it creates. You adjust this fan at your thermostat by changing it to “auto,” which indicates the fan will only run when the air conditioner is going. Or you can adjust it to “on,” which indicates it will operate all the time.
Does putting your AC on “fan” save energy in Bloomfield? Not always. Usually, operating your air conditioner’s fan constantly is going to make your energy bill slightly higher.
But it also provides a few pluses (and drawbacks) as far as your family’s comfort. Here’s why.
Air Conditioner Fan Set to “On”
Having your air conditioner’s fan operate continuously can better stabilize your home’s comfort. This is great if you live in a two-story home, since areas upstairs can be more hot. It’s also ideal if you have issues with unbalanced cooling due to hot and cold spaces.
It’s also advantageous if one of your family members suffers from allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems. That’s since the air is consistently being distributed and filtered. On the flip side, you may have to replace your air filters more often.
Having the fan on all the time can also increase your energy bills. It could also cause the fan to wear out more quickly and need air conditioning repair.
Your home may also appear muggier. Air conditioning helps balance humidity by drawing moisture from the air. But if the fan is constantly working, it’s more difficult for moisture to flow from the condenser outside.
Air Conditioner Fan Set to “Auto”
This is the best energy-efficient setting, since the fan will only run when your air conditioner does. It’s ideal if your residence always feels pleasant, whichever area you’re in.
There are a few disadvantages to using the auto setting. You may experience hot and cold locations in your residence and lower air quality. This is due to the fact air isn’t constantly being distributed or being continuously filtered.
That said, you’ll use a lower amount of energy and won’t be required to replace your air filter as regularly. Both are savings that can build up over the year, so you’ll have to consider what’s right for your family.
If you’re running into home comfort issues during hot weather, Stanford Heating & Cooling can help. We install a large range of energy-efficient air conditioners that can keep your home more pleasant while also helping you save more on energy expenses. Many also work with the latest smart home technology, giving you the opportunity to monitor and adjust temp settings while you’re gone.
To discover more about how we can make your home more pleasant, contact us at 812-825-8695 right away.