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Posted on May 16, 2009
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I have a programable honeywell thermostat with a Circulation setting that ramdomly runs the fan, versus on or auto. The manual says that the fan runs 35% less on circulation but circulates the air randomly throughout the day even if the temperature is set up high when we are gone. It says it helps better circulation and cleaning. The debate is whether we should set it to circulate rather than auto during the summer for better cleaning or the air and lower A/C bills. What is the answer, What is the best setting and why?

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  • tomlpointer May 17, 2009

    I already have a setback honeywell 8200 programable thermostat. The question is if I should be setting the thermostat to the On, auto, or circulate position for Air conditioning. I understand the feature and what it does, I need to know if it is better and the reasons it is better as to what setting I should leave it on for both winter and summer. My wife feels it should be left on auto and I say it should be left on circ, since we set the temperature back when we are not at home to 85 and when we are home to 78. The circ will run off and on even if the temperature inside is lower or higher than the setting. It keeps the air circulating and fresher and is suppose to use less energy. But I need to know an expert and their credentials so I can show my wife and mother in law.

  • tomlpointer May 17, 2009

    Thanks,



    We have a two zone house with 2 same size units. One unit cools the bedrooms and the other, kitchen, den etc. We have a set back thermostat. We have been setting the bedrooms at 85 from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm and then to 77-78. We set the rest of the house: 6:30 am to 1:30 to 85 and 1:30pm to 6:30 PM to 78. We have the new Carriar units that use the large filters, the units bring in outside air, a closed system. We care about power usage. Cost is 13.5kw and we live in Houston, where temperatures range from 70-100, with high humidity. Our thermostat also is set with a humidity setting between 55-65, which I understand determines whether the units go on anyway irregardless of the temperature setting. I think what you are saying that when the unit is on Auto, it will run continuously until the temperature/humidity have reached its goal. If that is the case, wouldnt it be harder on the fan, compressor, etc since it is running continuously and then when it reaches its temperature it will not circulate the air, so that it will not keep air fresh and the house dust free. My wife does not like the house to be dusty. Will there be a significant difference if the units are on circulate rather than auto? If I am looking for power usage settings, what will be more efficient during the summer using the temps and settings above and what would you estimate the cost of running it on circulate vs auto. Also, wont it cool off quicker if the units are on auto, but wont it put more stress on system ? I am looking for the cost savings if any if the units are on auto but at a price of stale air and a lost more dust. what is your recommendation?

  • tomlpointer May 17, 2009

    We have a two zone house with 2 same size units. One unit cools the bedrooms and the other, kitchen, den etc. We have a set back thermostat. We have been setting the bedrooms at 85 from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm and then to 77-78. We set the rest of the house: 6:30 am to 1:30 to 85 and 1:30pm to 6:30 PM to 78. We have the new Carriar units that use the large filters, the units bring in outside air, a closed system. We care about power usage. Cost is 13.5kw and we live in Houston, where temperatures range from 70-100, with high humidity. Our thermostat also is set with a humidity setting between 55-65, which I understand determines whether the units go on anyway irregardless of the temperature setting. I think what you are saying that when the unit is on Auto, it will run continuously until the temperature/humidity have reached its goal. If that is the case, wouldnt it be harder on the fan, compressor, etc since it is running continuously and then when it reaches its temperature it will not circulate the air, so that it will not keep air fresh and the house dust free. My wife does not like the house to be dusty. Will there be a significant difference if the units are on circulate rather than auto? If I am looking for power usage settings, what will be more efficient during the summer using the temps and settings above and what would you estimate the cost of running it on circulate vs auto. Also, wont it cool off quicker if the units are on auto, but wont it put more stress on system ? I am looking for the cost savings if any if the units are on auto but at a price of stale air and a lost more dust. what is your recommendation?

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If you want clean air without changing the temperature and without using as much power as on the A/C setting then put it on "Circulation" which just means you'll just filter dust etc out of the air. If you want to change the room temperature put it on Auto at your desired temp this will filter the air longer as it's running more but it will use more power than Circulation there's only a better setting if you tell me your exact requirement eg do you want to cool the room or just clean the air, or clean the air saving power??? otherwise if you don't care about the power cost then the "On" setting is the best as it filters non-stop and cools the air non-stop. Cheers

  • Anonymous May 17, 2009

    By the way I'm a Refridgeration/ Electrical Technician. A tip give your wife and mother in law nice flowers and a hug, then sneek out to do some fishing or play some golf etc. Good luck

  • Anonymous May 28, 2009


    Hello sorry I've been away on business, now it looks like nobody else has answered your question correctly. Ok your first question.

    Wouldn’t it be harder on the fan, compressor, etc since it is running continuously and then when it reaches its temperature it will not circulate the air, so that it will not keep air fresh and the house dust free.

    Ok all electrical and electronics like to stay warm. eg most compressor faults occur when they are left of for a extended period inturn they seize. The only thing to do is to keep the filters clean and the condenser outside clear of dust so it doesn't get to hot. On Auto it will come back on often to keep the rooms at the set temperature inturn it will also filter often.

    I can not calculate your power usage as there are to many variables eg Room size, heat or cold lose do to room insulation, windows, outside temp, humidity the list goes on and on, The only reading I could possibly work out is the amount of power used if the unit is set to on and never stops for a set period of time. So go with a power meter. The best way is to have put a mobile power meter installed to the circuit of the two units so you can get exact readings instead of guessing also you can try different settings and see the effect. You would save a lot of money if you leave it on circulate but unless the compressor runs then it won't be cooling or dehumidifying at all. Cheers

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One thing to consider is where you live. Running the fan without cooling INCREASES humidity. In south Florida we leave the fan in the auto position at all times. All the cleaning nonsense is just that, nonsense!! Circ mode is going to increase your electric bill, in my opinion there is NO benefit to the Circ function unless you are in a dry/ cooler climate!

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Setting on auto mode will definately cost bill overload but.in auto mode you will be dealing with dusty area.but the cold ness will be quite more which in summer you really want.
but in air cirulate mode the bills will be quite less then auto mode.but area will also be more clean then auto mode but the cold ness will be little less.but if you compare the bill in both mode it will be little difference not a vast difference.but yes in auto mode the coldness will be enjoyable then other mode.
but as per the other users choise mostly the users keep it on auto mode.as it has long life in auto mode for unit.because machine it self decides when to get heated and when to get cool and at what speed the motor should run.unit makes its adjustment as per the place in auto mode.
that is benefit.only dust in the area is a problem.but that is quite understood in such a heated humidity whether.
still there are two options.not any option is bad.its actually our choise at what we except it.

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please do rate the solution.thank you for using fixya.keep updated.

  • gloria piza Jan 02, 2019

    @moniter, feedback: you really need to brush up on your english grammar (specially, when and how to use a period) and spelling. It would be helpful to understand what you're saying.

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To maximize your energy savings without sacrificing comfort, you can install an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. They adjust the temperature setting for you. While you might forget to turn down the heat before you leave for work in the morning, a programmable thermostat won't! By maintaining the highest or lowest required temperatures for four or five hours a day instead of 24 hours, a programmable thermostat can pay for itself in energy saved within four years.
Programmable thermostats have features with which you may be unfamiliar. The newest generation of residential thermostat technologies is based on microprocessors and thermistor sensors. Most of these programmable thermostats perform one or more of the following energy control functions:
They store and repeat multiple daily settings, which you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program.
They store six or more temperature settings a day.
They adjust heating or air conditioning turn-on times as the outside temperature changes. Most programmable thermostats have liquid crystal temperature displays. Some have back-up battery packs that eliminate the need to reprogram the time or clock in case of a power failure. New programmable thermostats can be programmed to accommodate life style and control heating and cooling systems as needed

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