Dockside Chat - Blower on central ac/heat...run continuosly or no?

What's the general consensus on running your whole house blower continuously versus leaving it on auto? I have a trane 3ton heat pump/ ac in a smaller 1800 Sq-ft home, which is very similar to a duplex. Leaving the fan run constantly helps equalize the temperature from upstairs to downstairs, especially in the summertime as the lower level is on a concrete pad.

Unless your ducts are in the insulated space, I think you would bring a lot of heat into your house by running the fan continuously.

If you like want air movement, why not ceiling fans?

I leave mine on in the winter on cold days , it keeps my cold bathroom at a temp with the rest of the house .
Summer time it runs all the time any way

Unless your ducts are in the insulated space, I think you would bring a lot of heat into your house by running the fan continuously.

If you like want air movement, why not ceiling fans?

Yes, all the ductwork is in insulated space between the two levels...air handler is in a closet downstairs.

What's the general consensus on running your whole house blower continuously versus leaving it on auto? I have a trane 3ton heat pump/ ac in a smaller 1800 Sq-ft home, which is very similar to a duplex. Leaving the fan run constantly helps equalize the temperature from upstairs to downstairs, especially in the summertime as the lower level is on a concrete pad.

That is the main reason to leave it ON. Also, if you have good filters, leaving it on will help clean the air. My high efficiency air handler never shuts off, it modulates according to use.

As said before, if the ductwork is in an unconditioned space, it can be counter productive. If it's in an attic thats 140 degrees, it could cost you a lot to run the fan continuous.

Don't type while I'm typing! :nono: :grin:

I run my fan continuously (on low) and find it makes the house more comfortable overall. My ductwork is in the attic (and insulated) but I don't notice any particular issues with it introducing hot air back in.

We have a system with 4 zones, 2 furnaces. Everything is balanced well room to room so we leave it on Auto.

At the small office we own, poor balance and different heat/cooling load per room so we run fan on all the time.

It won't hurt a thing. If it's more comfortable then be like Nike "just do it".

Bought my first house 26 years ago, bought three houses after that.....I have never turned off the hvac fan in any house. Cleaner air, fewer hot/cold spots....it costs about the same as running a 60 watt bulb continuously.

Bought my first house 26 years ago, bought three houses after that.....I have never turned off the hvac fan in any house. Cleaner air, fewer hot/cold spots....it costs about the same as running a 60 watt bulb continuously.

how would running the blower motor compare to 5 52" ceiling fans running all the time ?

.it costs about the same as running a 60 watt bulb continuously.

I tried to calculate the cost of running a 1/2 HP motor 24/7 using $10 a kWh. I came up with $19,604.88!:o I think it's safe to say I got mt decimal point wrong.:trout:

I might go back, but $200 a year sounds reasonable. In the auto position, it will use more than you think. When the motor starts, the amp draw is fairly high and uses more electricity. Also, the starting of the motor is what typically wears the motor out.

I tried to calculate the cost of running a 1/2 HP motor 24/7 using $10 a kWh. I came up with $19,604.88!:o I think it's safe to say I got mt decimal point wrong.:trout:


I think it should be closer to $0.10 kWh.

how would running the blower motor compare to 5 52" ceiling fans running all the time ?


Ceiling fans don't run your inside air through your hvac filters. Apples and oranges in terms of the quality of your air.

I tried to calculate the cost of running a 1/2 HP motor 24/7 using $10 a kWh. I came up with $19,604.88!:o I think it's safe to say I got mt decimal point wrong.:trout:


I think it should be closer to $0.10 kWh.

Maybe I should have said, I got several decimal points wrong. :trout:

Ceiling fans don't run your inside air through your hvac filters. Apples and oranges in terms of the quality of your air.

My ceiling fans clean the air very good. Shut them off once a month and have to clean them (more dirt then my air filter). I wasn't saying ceiling fans do the same job as cleaning air. Moving air is the question.