HVAC Fan "ON" or "Auto" - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Brock · 11-22-2008, 05:39 PM

Do you recommend keeping the fan in the on position all year, or auto.

I have always been told it is better to leave it in the on position year round.

MALCO.New.York · 11-22-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

Do you recommend keeping the fan in the on position all year, or auto.

I have always been told it is better to leave it in the on position year round.

I am with you on this one!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

Absolutely correct! It keeps the air "flowing" and therefore amalgamates the ambient temperature.

It does away with Hot and Cold spots.

It takes more energy to start a blower motor than it does to run one. No idea how long equates to "start up". But frequent start and stop is VERY wasteful!

neolitic · 11-22-2008, 05:49 PM

"Leave it on," has been my
personal crusade for 30 years.

cleveman · 11-22-2008, 05:58 PM

I remember in the instructions for my electronic air cleaner, it was stated to leave the fan on all the time for a month, then check and see if you can afford to leave it on.

Comfortwise, it is obvious that it is better to leave it on.

I'm going to find my multimeter and funky extension cord and get a reading on what it takes to run the fan.

neolitic · 11-22-2008, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cleveman

I remember in the instructions for my electronic air cleaner, it was stated to leave the fan on all the time for a month, then check and see if you can afford to leave it on.

Comfortwise, it is obvious that it is better to leave it on.

I'm going to find my multimeter and funky extension cord and get a reading on what it takes to run the fan.

But you also have to factor in
cycling of the burner/compressor,
fuel use to comfort level, and life of the
start windings to get the total picture.

rayh78 · 11-22-2008, 06:28 PM

I must be the only one that consider it a waste of money to run 24 hours.
I did try it on a new unit I had for downstairs because it came with a 2 speed motor. So did not cost much to run and would filter the indoor air all the time.
But after a few years had to replace the blower motor at a cost of $550.00 for this Carrier model.

neolitic · 11-22-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rayh78

I must be the only one that consider it a waste of money to run 24 hours.
I did try it on a new unit I had for downstairs because it came with a 2 speed motor. So did not cost much to run and would filter the indoor air all the time.
But after a few years had to replace the blower motor at a cost of $550.00 for this Carrier model.

Funny my last one ran continuously
for 15 years.
When the unit had to be replaced
I saved the blower and motor and
I'm still using it as a dust collector
in the shop.

Brock · 11-22-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

Funny my last one ran continuously
for 15 years.
When the unit had to be replaced
I saved the blower and motor and
I'm still using it as a dust collector
in the shop.

I would like a master electrician to chime in here.

Which costs me more to run annually.

1. My full size rfrigerator in the garage I use for beer and extra frozen food that doesn't fitin my indoor fridge.

-or-

2. Running my hvac fan all year.

MALCO.New.York · 11-22-2008, 06:50 PM

Well...........What is the Wattage of the Fridge/Freezer????

According to the following site, an "Upright" Freezer uses 3 times the amount of energy as a "Furnace Fan".

http://www.oksolar.com/technical/consumption.html

neolitic · 11-22-2008, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

I would like a master electrician to chime in here.

Which costs me more to run annually.

1. My full size rfrigerator in the garage I use for beer and extra frozen food that doesn't fitin my indoor fridge.

-or-

2. Running my hvac fan all year.

Fidge by far and away.

threaderman · 11-22-2008, 08:34 PM

Excuse me if I seem ignorant but I haven't heard of this before.You're saying that if I'm not heating or cooling my home that my fan should always be running,and that it is not hard on the system but better than letting fresh air into the home,or do you let the fan run and keep doors and windows open as you normally would during mild weather?

neolitic · 11-22-2008, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threaderman

Excuse me if I seem ignorant but I haven't heard of this before.You're saying that if I'm not heating or cooling my home that my fan should always be running,and that it is not hard on the system but better than letting fresh air into the home,or do you let the fan run and keep doors and windows open as you normally would during mild weather?

How quaint.
That way I could actually find out
if there are any non-obscene lyrics
that go with the thump-thump "music"
as the cars sit at the stop sign.
I could make a hobby of identifying
the subtle differences in the tones
of each individual un-muffled motorcycle
engine.
Perhaps I might even learn to identify
the oil fields whence came the crude
by the nuances in the aroma of the
diesel fumes.
Perhaps you are right, I should open those
windows to the gentle breeze more often.

Or not.

threaderman · 11-22-2008, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neolitic

How quaint.
That way I could actually find out
if there are any non-obscene lyrics
that go with the thump-thump "music"
as the cars sit at the stop sign.
I could make a hobby of identifying
the subtle differences in the tones
of each individual un-muffled motorcycle
engine.
Perhaps I might even learn to identify
the oil fields whence came the crude
by the nuances in the aroma of the
diesel fumes.
Perhaps you are right, I should open those
windows to the gentle breeze more often.

Or not.

What the hell are you talking about,I like fresh air,I've lived in some of the toughest cities out there and still kept my windows open,and am only trying to figure out what's best for my HVAC.Maybe you should move to a more calming place,Holy crap.

neolitic · 11-22-2008, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by threaderman

What the hell are you talking about,I like fresh air,I've lived in some of the toughest cities out there and still kept my windows open,and am only trying to figure out what's best for my HVAC.Maybe you should move to a more calming place,Holy crap.

I didn't change, the city did.
I will take your advice and move
as soon as Mom dies.

As to the cost, my electric bill
is lower than anyone I know.
Every time POCO figures my budget
payments, I cut them by 30% and
still come up with a balance in the
settle up month.
And I don't think it would hurt
to move the air around the house
and through the filter even with
the windows open, maybe especially then.

delta l · 11-23-2008, 07:37 AM

Do you run central air conditioning in the summer? If so, and you are in an area with high humidity, running a constant fan canl negatively affect your ability to dehumidify your home.

If your furnace/air handler is equipped with a variable speed motor, and depending on your thermostat, you can run an 'intermittent' fan which will allow the condensate to drain from your coil before running. Otherwise, it can be blown back into the air stream.

If chosen, mine will run 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off, if the stat has not called for cooling for an hour. Eliminates the stratification.

In wintertime, particularly if your unit is oversized and has a non-variable speed motor, running a fan w/o heat can cause a drafty, cold feeling.

It all depends on your system.

Delta

MALCO.New.York · 11-23-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta l

Do you run central air conditioning in the summer? If so, and you are in an area with high humidity, running a constant fan can negatively affect your ability to dehumidify your home.

Please explain..........With references.

neolitic · 11-23-2008, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta l

Do you run central air conditioning in the summer? If so, and you are in an area with high humidity, running a constant fan canl negatively affect your ability to dehumidify your home.

If your furnace/air handler is equipped with a variable speed motor, and depending on your thermostat, you can run an 'intermittent' fan which will allow the condensate to drain from your coil before running. Otherwise, it can be blown back into the air stream.

If chosen, mine will run 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off, if the stat has not called for cooling for an hour. Eliminates the stratification.

In wintertime, particularly if your unit is oversized and has a non-variable speed motor, running a fan w/o heat can cause a drafty, cold feeling.

It all depends on your system.

Delta

You are called.
Citations, proof, back it up.
Both common sense and long experience
is in direct opposition to your claims.

Brock · 11-23-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by delta l

Do you run central air conditioning in the summer? If so, and you are in an area with high humidity, running a constant fan canl negatively affect your ability to dehumidify your home.

If your furnace/air handler is equipped with a variable speed motor, and depending on your thermostat, you can run an 'intermittent' fan which will allow the condensate to drain from your coil before running. Otherwise, it can be blown back into the air stream.

If chosen, mine will run 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off, if the stat has not called for cooling for an hour. Eliminates the stratification.

In wintertime, particularly if your unit is oversized and has a non-variable speed motor, running a fan w/o heat can cause a drafty, cold feeling.

It all depends on your system.

Delta

I thought the same thing until I tried it. The opposite of what you are saying actually occurrs with the fan on. I think it is because the heat rises and will stay closer to the ceiling level while it is cycled off. With the fan running all the time it is cycling the air and not allowing cool zones throughout the home. We also keep our ceiling fans on low most of the time to aid in pushing down the warm air.

MALCO.New.York · 11-23-2008, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

We also keep our ceiling fans on low most of the time to aid in pushing down the warm air.

Down in the Summer. Up in the Winter. Try it!

neolitic · 11-23-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MALCO.New.York

Down in the Summer. Up in the Winter. Try it!

Mmmmm, got your glasses on
backwards.

Warm air down in winter.
Cold air up in summer.
Think about what you want
to pool where, when.