The frequency at which you should run the air conditioner fan depends on the type of air conditioning system you have and your specific comfort needs. There are two main types of air conditioner fans: the indoor fan and the outdoor fan.
- Indoor Fan: The indoor fan is the one that circulates cool air throughout your home or living space. Here are some guidelines for running the indoor fan:
During Cooling: When you are actively using your air conditioner for cooling, the indoor fan should run continuously. This helps to distribute the cool air throughout your home and maintain a consistent temperature. Most modern air conditioners are designed to run the indoor fan automatically when the cooling mode is activated.
During Heating: If your air conditioner also functions as a heat pump for heating, the indoor fan should run when in heating mode as well. This ensures that the warm air is evenly distributed throughout your home.
When Not in Use: When you are not using your air conditioner for cooling or heating, you can turn off the indoor fan. Running the fan when the air conditioner is not actively cooling or heating will not provide any additional benefits and may use unnecessary electricity.
- Outdoor Fan: The outdoor fan is located in the condenser unit and helps dissipate heat from the refrigerant. It should run when the air conditioner is actively cooling your home. The outdoor fan is typically controlled automatically by the air conditioning system's thermostat and compressor.
In summary, during cooling or heating operation, the indoor fan should run continuously to circulate the conditioned air throughout your home. However, when the air conditioner is not actively cooling or heating, you can turn off the indoor fan to conserve energy. The outdoor fan will run automatically as needed by the system during cooling operation.