Fan On or Auto For Your Air Conditioner?

Summer is closely associated with heat and humidity as the warmest season of the year no matter where you live. When you return home from having fun in the sun, you just want to lean back in the recliner or on the couch and cool off. HVAC companies in Tampa FL can handle all of your air conditioning needs so that your system is operating at peak performance during the all important summer months where sweet relief from the heat and humidity is awaiting inside your front door.

Once your air conditioning system is operating smoothly and efficiently, there is a very common question that makes many homeowners scratch their collective heads. Namely, should you set your AC thermostat to the “Fan On” or “Auto” position? As you will see, there are pros and cons to each setting.

Difference Between the Two Settings

Thermostats come with different customization options, but one option found on almost all units is the “Fan On” or “Auto” switch. When the thermostat is set to the on position, the system’s fan will run continuously, regardless of whether or not the HVAC unit is generating a heating or cooling cycle. By contrast, when the thermostat is switched to the auto position, the system’s fan will only run during the desired heating or cooling cycle and will then shut off automatically once the target temperature is reached until the system kicks itself back on for the next cycling event.

Fan On Setting

The primary advantage of the “Fan On” position is that the ambient air inside of the residence is always cycling through the HVAC filter since the fan is continuously running. Thus, the interior air quality is arguably better because particulate matter is constantly being removed from the air. Of course, the main disadvantage with this setting is that the fan is always using energy, thereby increasing the monthly utility bill.

Auto Setting

Not surprisingly, the obvious advantage of the “Auto” setting is that it uses less energy given that the fan only runs when the HVAC system is in an active heating or cooling cycle. In turn, the primary drawback to this setting is that the system completely powers up and then down requiring stops and starts, thereby potentially leading to more wear and tear over time necessitating repair costs.

No matter which setting you choose, it is always a good idea to have your AC system checked out by a professional technician at the start of the cooling season.