During the high temperatures, running your air conditioning can be your biggest monthly electricity expense. So, it’s normal that you’re looking for approaches to use less energy. That can entail finding an energy-efficient AC setting or even making the switch to an ENERGY STAR®-rated model with air conditioner installation.
Adjusting your air conditioning’s fan setting is a second way you can save money.
Your air conditioner relies on a fan to distribute the cool air it creates. You manage this fan at your thermostat by changing it to “auto,” which signifies the fan will only be on when the air conditioner is cooling. Or you can adjust it to “on,” which means it will operate constantly.
Does putting your AC on “fan” save energy in Phoenix? This isn’t always the case. Generally, running your air conditioner’s fan constantly is going to drive up your energy bill slightly.
But it also has a few perks (and drawbacks) as far as your family’s comfort. Here’s why.
Air Conditioner Fan Set to “On”
Having your air conditioner’s fan go all day can better stabilize your house’s comfort. This is good if you have a two-story home, since rooms upstairs can be hotter. It’s also ideal if you have issues with unbalanced cooling because of hot and cold spaces.
It’s also good if one of your family members deals with allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses. That’s because the air is constantly being circulated and filtrated. On the other hand, you may have to replace your air filters more regularly.
Having the fan on all the time can also make your energy bills more expensive. It could also result in the fan wearing out more quickly and need air conditioning repair.
Your home may also feel muggier. Air conditioning helps manage humidity by extracting wetness from the air. But if the fan is constantly on, it’s challenging for moisture to drip from the condenser outdoors.
Air Conditioner Fan Set to “Auto”
This is the most energy-efficient setting, since the fan will only go when your air conditioner does. It’s ideal if your residence always appears cool, no matter what area you’re in.
There are a few downsides to using the auto setting. You may have hot and cold locations in your home and decreased air quality. This is due to the fact air isn’t continuously moving or being repeatedly purified.
On the other hand, you’ll consume less energy and won’t need to replace your air filter as regularly. Both are savings that can add up during the year, so you’ll have to think about what’s right for your household.
If you’re having home comfort issues during warm weather, Integrity AC & Heating LLC can help. We install a wide range of energy-efficient air conditioners that can keep your home comfier while also helping you save more on cooling costs. Many also work with the latest smart home technology, giving you the ability to monitor and adjust home comfort settings while you’re gone.
To discover more about how we can make your home more comfy, contact us at 602-971-0567 now.