Should the fan be in the on position as opposed to auto while running the a/c?

Question

I feel like it is fighting itself by blowing cold air then blowing non cooled air. I can see the point with heat, but not air. My mom thinks it should run 24/7 regardless of heat or air.

Answer 1

should be auto

Answer 2

AUTO

Answer 3

it should be set to auto

Answer 4

It is mostly personal preference. It does not blow hot air, it is just recirculating the already cooled or heated air in the house. The only benefit is that it keeps the air circulating so you may get less hot spots in the summer and less cold spots in the winter.

The reason I said "mostly" personal preference is because the  AC unit draws moisture out of the air while cooling and that water drips away down a drain. Running the fan continuously can put some of that moisture back in the air before it drips away, causing your house to be more humid and feel hotter than it is. If you live in a dry climate this would not be an issue.

Answer 5

YES it does use more gasoline to cool your car with a/c as but not to run the fan on auto.  Running the fan on auto drains only the battery, not the fuel tank.  Does your a/c work when your tank is empty?  I didn't think so.  The blower will still blow and recycle the air if your battery has a charge - it will not, however, cool the air.  Turn the engine off and set the ignition on accessory; does it blow cold air or the same temperature as the outside air?  It seems the newer model of automobiles gives you no choice anyway.  Mine continues to run whether it is in the off or on position but to a lesser degree. It's extremely annoying.   It's been that way with the past three Chevrolet's I've owned.  Perhaps it's just a Chevy thing.  

The only reason I could think to leave an automobile's a/c fan in the "on" position is if your mom is a smoker which actually would be the worst thing you could do because it draws the smell even deeper into the a/c unit.   I smoke and I always keep the window cracked while smoking, however it still wreaks of tobacco but the smoke doesn't build up inside my truck.  

Answer 6

Wow K9resq!

Mom is lucky to have a young person like yourself even interested in such matters.

The "Green" answer is "Auto".  The only thing "On" does is keep the house temperature from cycling up and down before the air kicks on.

Generally this temperature cycling is most noticeable with gas furnaces in the winter.  Many furnaces have a "low speed" fan setting, so it just moves the air without running up the electric bill too much.

If mom is sensitive to temperature changes, then its her call.  However, if she thinks she is gaining anything, then, politely, she is incorrect at least when done with air conditioning.

Keep your eyes open...the world needs people like you who pick up on the details.  I'd judge you to be very observant and intelligent!

Answer 7

good explaination above but bottom line auto