Does keeping fan on AC increase bill?

Typically, using your air conditioner's fan constantly is going to increase your energy bill slightly. But it also provides a few pluses (and drawbacks) in regard to your family's comfort.


Does leaving the AC fan on use a lot of electricity?

A typical AC fan motor uses about 500 watts when it's running. Therefore, if you run the fan continuously for a 30-day month (720 hours), you would use 360,000 watt hours (720 x 500) or 360 kilowatt hours (kWh). Therefore, the fan uses about 360 kWh per month in the ON mode.

Is keeping AC fan on expensive?

Cons to Keeping Fan Continuously Running:

It could cost you hundreds of dollars a year. The average unit has a 500-watt fan, which uses almost as much energy over the course of the year as a refrigerator, resulting in a $50/month bill.


Does leaving your AC fan on save money?

However, you might also think that you'll save money by running the fan without the AC when it's warm out. Professional air conditioning repair technicians actually advise against this, however; while it's true that the fan alone uses less energy than the AC, it will almost certainly result in higher utility bills.

Does turning the fan on AC use less energy?

It takes significantly more energy for an air conditioner to move heat around than it takes a fan to blow air onto your skin. As a result, parking yourself in front of a fan is significantly more energy efficient. Fans use around 1% of the electricity consumed by air conditioners.


How Much Juice Does It Use? AC vs Fan



Is it better to leave AC fan on or auto?

Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months. When your fan is set to AUTO, moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.

Is it cheaper to run AC fan only?

Use fans to help the AC

Fans are cheaper to run than air conditioners, and can be used in place of air conditioners or along with them to save money. If you have a ceiling fan, run it at the same time as the AC.

How can I keep my AC bill low?

Here are some ways you can save money on your air conditioning and thus your electric bill.
  1. Throw some shade around the house. ...
  2. Cover your windows. ...
  3. Get smart about your thermostat. ...
  4. Install ceiling fans. ...
  5. Service your AC. ...
  6. Go with an alternative cooling system. ...
  7. Seal the leaks. ...
  8. Avoid using the stove and oven.


What is the most efficient way to run AC?

ACEEE estimates that air conditioners use 3% to 5% less energy for every degree you raise the thermostat. To get the best energy savings, leave your thermostat set at 78 degrees or higher while you're out.

What does fan mode on AC do?

What is AC Fan Mode? Essentially, your air conditioner unit's fan mode controls the blower fan. You can choose to run the fan continuously or only when the AC is on. This setting helps circulate air in your home, but it won't produce any new cold air.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning?

When setting your thermostat, most homeowners find 72 is a good temperature for air conditioning. However, you may need to adjust that setting based on weather conditions. The bigger the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the higher your energy bill will be.


What should I set my AC to at night to save money?

Energy Saver recommends setting your air conditioner to 78 degrees when you wake up, 85 degrees during the day, and 82 degrees when you're sleeping to save the most money.

Is it cheaper to leave AC on all day?

Your AC will actually run longer overall if it is left on all day instead of being shut off. If you turn it off for part of the day, it runs less and results in more energy savings for you. In almost all cases, it will save you money to shut off your AC while you are away from home.

What contributes the most to AC bill?

Biggest Energy Users

Whether you're using your air conditioner in summer or your furnace in winter, this makes up the biggest expense on your electricity bill. In fact, heating and cooling account for close to half of an average household's energy usage.


What temperature should AC be on to save money?

To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F (26C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.

Is it cheaper to turn the AC down at night?

The short answer is, yes. Turning your AC on and off periodically will waste energy, as opposed to leaving it on all day and bumping up the temperature when you're not at home. That's because more energy is required to reach a thermostat setting after the system has been turned off and back on.

When should I run my AC fan only?

Here's when to use your HVAC fan setting:
  1. Run the Fan When You're Not Home. You don't want to waste energy when you're out of the house. ...
  2. Filter the Air During Allergy Season. Any time you notice a runny nose, a dry throat or a persistent cough, it could point to your allergies. ...
  3. Share the Love.


Is it OK to leave thermostat fan on?

Letting your thermostat fan run uninterrupted allows for continuous air circulation throughout the house, which helps ensure the even distribution of warm or cool air. It also helps prevent particulates from a fuel-burning furnace from recirculating, as the air will be filtered at the intake registers.

How much does it cost to keep AC on 24 7?

On average, running an air conditioner costs between $0.06 and $0.88 per hour. Let's calculate how much does air conditioning cost per month (running 8h per day): Low end: $14.40/month. High end: $211.20/month.

What should your AC be on in the summer?

While the DOE recommends 78 degrees Fahrenheit for the air conditioner temperature in summer, everyone has different comfort levels. Most air conditioning suppliers will recommend a setting of between 72-78 degrees Fahrenheit while you are in the house.


Is it cheaper to cool house at night?

During peak hours your electrical company may be charging you 24 cents per kilowatt per hour, and then as low as 4 cents during off-peak hours. The real question is, why pay 24 cents when you can pay 4 cents? Running your air conditioning during off-peak house lets you run it for much longer—and cheaper.

How cool should my house be if it's 110 outside?

The majority of air conditioning units are designed to only cool the air about 20 degrees from the outside temperature. If the temperatures outside are approaching triple digits, you should set your thermostat at about 78°.

Is 78 too hot for a house?

It turns out that the best indoor temperature for your home during the summer months is 78 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If that temperature falls outside your comfort level, there are several ways to modify how your home feels without causing your energy bill to spike.


Is it cheaper to leave AC on auto?

Choosing the AUTO Setting

If you set your preferred temperature very low, your air conditioner is still going to run longer than necessary. But using the AUTO setting with a reasonable set temperature will keep your energy costs low, especially if you turn your unit off when you're away from home or asleep.

Is 74 too hot for AC?

Typically, our bodies are most comfortable when the air inside our home is 74-76 degrees. So, a safe setting is 75 degrees. However, this is only necessary when you're in your home. If you're like most, you are gone during the day.