Important Info on Fan Settings

At All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling, we’re proud to be top-quality professionals in the fields of HVAC and air conditioner service and repair. Particularly during the hottest period of the year, these services are vital for our many clients around Utah.

One area of the HVAC system that we notice many of our clients neglecting? The fan setting, which runs in coordination with your air conditioner during the summer. There are two primary fan settings: Auto and On. Let’s look at what each actually means and how they can affect your utility bill and air quality.

The Auto Setting

When you have your fan set to Auto, it will run at the same time as your air conditioner with the primary goal of distributing the cool air to every area of the home. Most people primarily use the Auto setting, as it keeps fan parts like the motor from wearing down too quickly through constant use. The Auto setting is also friendlier on HVAC filters, due to the fact that less air is allowed to pass through.

On the flip side, homes using only the Auto setting will become a bit stagnant when it comes to air quality. Particularly if you don’t leave windows open, there are fewer opportunities for fresh air to cycle through. Things may get stuffy in between AC cycles.

The On Setting

The On setting, on the other hand, keeps the fan continuously running until you change it to Auto. The On setting provides far more fresh air, helping eliminate odors that may be in the home and keeping air quality high.

On the negative end, though, keeping the fan on all the time will strain the HVAC system more. You’ll likely pay more on your utility bill at the end of the month, and you’ll also have to replace furnace filters more often due to more air passing through them. The On setting will also often draw humid outdoor air inside during non-cooling periods, especially if you keep windows open.

Compromise Options

Some newer AC models are available these days that have variable speed fans installed. These allow you to more fully customize your airflow, both during cooling cycles and between them. For instance, you can set the thermostat to put the fan on high while the AC is on, then only on low to keep air circulating while the AC is off.

For more on the importance of the fan setting, or to learn about any of our heating and air conditioning services, speak to the pros at All Hours Plumbing, Drain Cleaning, Heating & Cooling today.