During the summer, using your air conditioning can be your biggest monthly utility cost. So, it’s normal that you’re looking for approaches to save. That might include trying an energy-efficient AC setting or even upgrading to an ENERGY STAR®-rated unit through air conditioner installation. Switching your air conditioning’s fan setting is an additional way you can save money. Your air conditioner relies on a fan to deliver the chilled air it produces. You control this fan at your thermostat by switching it to “auto,” which signifies the fan will only run when the air conditioner is working. Or you can switch it to “on,” which means it will operate continuously. Does putting your AC on “fan” save energy in Wilkes Barre and Scranton? Not necessarily. Usually, operating your air conditioner’s fan all the time is going to drive up your energy bill slightly. But it also has a few perks (and downsides) as far as your family’s comfort. Here’s why.
Air Conditioner Fan Set to “On”
Having your air conditioner’s fan run all day can better equalize your home’s comfort. This is great if you own a two-story home, since areas upstairs can be more hot. It’s also good if you have issues with unbalanced cooling on account of hot and cold areas. It’s also good if one of your family members has allergies, asthma or other respiratory symptoms. That’s because the air is constantly being dispersed and filtered. On the flip side, you may have to switch your air filters more regularly. Having the fan on constantly can also drive up your energy bills. It could also make the fan wear out faster and need air conditioning repair. Your house may also seem more humid. Air conditioning helps manage humidity by extracting wetness from the air. But if the fan is constantly running, it’s challenging for moisture to drip from the condenser outdoors.
Air Conditioner Fan Set to “Auto”
This is the highest energy-efficient setting, as the fan will only work when your air conditioner does. It’s ideal if your house always feels pleasant, whichever area you’re in. There are a few downsides to using the auto setting. You may have hot and cold areas in your home and reduced air quality. This is due to the fact air isn’t continuously being distributed or being repeatedly filtered. On the other hand, you’ll use a lower amount of energy and won’t need to replace your air filter as regularly. Both are savings that can tally up during the year, so you’ll have to consider what’s right for your home. If you’re running into home comfort problems during hot weather, GLR Mechanical can assist you. We sell a large range of energy-efficient air conditioners that can keep your house more pleasant while also helping you save more on electrical costs. Many can be partnered with the latest smart home technology, allowing you to monitor and regulate temp settings while on the go. To hear more about how we can make your residence more pleasant, contact us at 570-309-0403 right away.