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What is Bleach and Baking Soda Good For? (and Not!)

What is Bleach and Baking Soda Good For? Bleach is a household cleanser that most people have around the house and baking soda is another item that people keep around the house.

Both of them have dozens of uses individually. But did you know that mixing bleach with baking soda is a safe use of both products to create an even more potent DIY household cleaner than either can accomplish alone?

In this article, you will find out a few of the excellent applications for bleach and baking soda and you will also find out what it is not good for.

1. Bleach and Baking Soda for Mold

Bleach is one of the best ways of killing mold in your shower but just spraying bleach on mold is hard to manage in a way that is effective enough to do a good job because it runs off and down the wall nearly as fast as you put it on.

But when you combine baking soda with bleach at a three to one baking soda to bleach ratio, you get a pasty, gritty substance that can be wiped on the top of mold where it will stay.

Giving the bleach the time it needs to sit and kill the bacteria.

Afterwards the gritty paste is used as a scrubbing agent to help get the discoloration of mold out of the bath or shower.

2. Bleach and Baking Soda for White Clothes

Bleach is pretty much the gold standard for getting stains out of white clothes.

But baking soda also has whitening properties that can get stains out of a white garment rather nicely too.

But out of the two, bleach is the clear winner.

But together, bleach and baking soda can make a very effective stain remover for white clothes because baking soda is a terrific odor remover that will help reduce the smell of bleach when they are mixed together, which is one of the main reasons people steer away from it.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the bleach bottle for proper water to bleach amounts.

3. Homemade Grout Cleaner

Bleach and baking soda is also a very effective homemade grout cleaner. Bleach is a very strong mold and bacteria disinfectant cleaner but it is not very useful when you’re trying to clean a wall with it because being a liquid it just runs off.

Grout is one of those problems that bleach is a very good remedy for because of its whitening properties. But it needs a thickening agent to keep it on the wall long enough to soak in and eliminate the bacteria and remove the stains.

By making a mixture of 3/4 cup of baking soda and 1/4 cup of bleach, you can rub the mixture on the grout and let it sit for as long as you want it to, though as little as 15 minutes is probably all it’s going to take. The baking soda gives it the abrasive quality it needs to be able to scrub the areas that don’t easily come off.

4. Bleach and Baking Soda for Toilet Bowls

A easy way to clean the ring out of a toilet bowl is to just pour a half gallon of bleach into the toilet and let it sit.

But sometimes, even with that level of concentrated bleach actively killing the bacteria in the toilet, you still need an abrasive element to finish getting the ring off of the toilet.

Baking soda can be added to bleach safely and used as a scouring agent to help get the ring out of the toilet and also help absorb some of the odor from the bleach.

5. Bleach and Baking Soda for Drains

This is a bad one. Somehow bleach has made it to the top of household items that is recommended to pour down a drain when you have a clog. But the truth is, bleach will not do much of anything to clear out a clogged drain.

And after it is realized that it is not going to do anything to help with the clog, people tend to pour a different kind of cleaner down the drain.

The problem is, bleach has a list of things that it should never be mixed with, and some of those things are other items that people try to clear the drain out with.

The whole point is, pouring bleach down the drain is pretty much just asking for a poisonous combination to happen when someone else comes along and pours something else down the drain.

6. Bleach and Baking Soda for Your Pool

Bleach and baking soda can actually be used as a substitute for costly pool chemicals better purchase to kill algae and maintain pH.

Baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate. If you look on the list of ingredients contained in your alkalinity raising product, you’ll find that it is almost 100% sodium bicarbonate. And baking soda costs mere pennies compared and is something you probably already have in your refrigerator to soak up smells in it.

Unscented bleach at an 8.25% strength is a perfectly good substitute for granular chlorine.

Remember to wear rubber gloves and a mask anytime you’re using bleach.

Ventilation is very important when using bleach so prepare ahead of time to be able to keep the windows open and exhaust fans running.

You also want to be sure to wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting white spots on when using bleach, because it’s almost impossible to clean with bleach without getting at least a little bit of it on your clothes somewhere.

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Why Is My Room So Dusty? 11 Suggestions

Taking the time to dust the furniture and clean the house is a chore and can be disheartening when you realize how fast the dust has came back. Simply walking is enough to kick it back up and undo your work.

Dust is something we all battle but if you have an allergy to dust or asthma, the battle is more like a war.

Why Is My Room So Dusty?

Here is a list of reasons that may help you identify why there is so much dust in your room.

Cheap HVAC filters
Dryer Hose
Shoes
Leaky Vacuum
Carpet
Humidity or Lack of
Dirty Ductwork
Proximity to Outdoor Dust
Windows
Pets
Dead Skin
Bugs

Cheap HVAC Filters

This is easily one of the main reasons your room or house can become excessively dusty.

Cheap poor quality air filters can do little to nothing to filter out the dust from the air that is being circulated around the house via the forced air system.

Using cheap filters in your HVAC can make your air handler a whole house dust machine.

On the flip side, purchasing better filters with a Merv rating of at least a 9-12 can turn your HVAC into a whole house air cleaner and dust remover.

A warning though. A higher Merv rating means keeping the filters replaced more often to reduce undue strain on the unit.

If the dust level in your home does not warrant it, a filter with a 5-8 Merv rating will be better for your machine and pocket book.

Dryer Hose

The dryer can be a huge source of dust.

If the dryer hose has come off in the back or if it has damage that is keeping it from focusing the dust outside, then you can expect all that dust to settle indoors.

Shoes

One of the biggest reasons your room can be extra dusty is because it is being carried into the house by your shoes.

This is true especially if you’re having to walk through dirt in order to get to your house.

The easiest thing to do to prevent dust from traveling into your house with your shoes is to use door mats and keep the door mats clean.

Even better, make sure you and your family take your shoes off before you walk around the house.

Leaky Vacuum

If your vacuum doesn’t fully capture the dust and is leaking back into the air, it may actually be helping you make your room dustier.

Consider purchasing a vacuum that is fully enclosed and is equipped with a HEPA filter to capture smaller pollutants.

And don’t empty the dust canister or change the bag in the house.

Carpet

Carpets can get very dirty and be very hard to get dust out of. Especially when you’re talking about thick shag carpet.

A dirty carpet can easily be the culprit in an extra dusty home. If you have an old carpet or a thick carpet that is hard clean, just walking through the house can kick up dust onto your surfaces.

Humidity or Lack of

A dry climate is a natural source for dust. When the air is dry you can expect dust in the air to be a problem because there is no moisture to help it settle.

Consider running a humidifier in your room. It will not only help keep the dust out of the air, it can help ease your dried nasal cavities.

Dirty Ductwork

If your ductwork has not been cleaned in a while, then you may have an issue with your HVAC distributing the dust inside the ductwork throughout your home.

Dust mites and mold are also attracted to the inside of your ductwork because of the high humidity level inside of the air handler.

Dust mites and mold spores are both common household allergies that could be originating in dirty ducts.

Having your ductwork cleaned and system checked may be the answer you need to control dust in your house.

Proximity to Outdoor Dust

Look around you. Are you living near a construction zone where dust is being continually thrown around? Do you live near a highway or a busy street where exhaust is an issue?

Do you have patches of dirt in your yard or do you live next to a vacant lot?

Your proximity to outdoor dust can 100% affect the level of dust that you can expect to deal with inside of your house.

Windows

If you have poorly sealed windows or open windows, you can expect dust to come through the windows.

Also windows and shades tend to become very dusty because of their proximity to the outdoors.

Keeping your windows and shades clean can help dust from building up and spreading further out from the windows.

Consider throwing out your old dusting t-shirt and getting a microfiber cloth instead. You can also get microfiber dusters that will help you capture the dust even better.

Pets

It’s no surprise that if you have pets that are coming in and out of the house that they are transporting all types of dust with them.

Not only dust, it’s their hair also.

Pet dander can be a real issue for allergy sufferers. Pet dander is actually bacteria that comes from your animals licking themselves and then shedding.

If you have pets in the house then consider brushing and bathing them more to help prevent dust.

Dead Skin

If your bedroom is extra dusty then you should know that it is actually your skin that is the issue.

Whether you realized it or not, you are actually shedding yourself.

And the bedroom, being one of the most used rooms because of the amount of time you spend sleeping and grooming there, is taking the hit on the amount of dead skin that is accumulating.

Consider washing your bedding and pillows more often to help reduce the amount of dust in your bedroom.

Bugs

Finally bugs.

Insects leave behind feces and bacteria that turns into dust.

Not only is it their feces, it’s their shell. Dead bugs break apart and become part of the overall dust issue.

Another problem is rodents leaving their tracks and feces everywhere.

If you have a bug problem, you can very easily contribute to your dust problem.

In that case it’s time to get an exterminator.

When you got a problem with your room or house being dusty, it usually comes down to the few primary reasons we have tried to lay out for you here.

We hope you are able to take advantage of some of these helpful hints.

AC Dehumidifier(Dry) Mode- What and When Do You Use It?

What is Dehumidifier (Dry) Mode in AC?

High Humidity is the number one cause of mildew and mold growth in the home. It is also responsible for increased Allergy symptoms and sinuses and can be a trigger for an Asthma attack.

Dehumidifier mode, also called Dry Mode, on an AC is the setting that turns on the dehumidifying function of an air conditioner to reduce excess humidity in the air.

When there is too much humidity in the air, the temperature can seem hotter than what it actually is.

Using the dehumidifier/ dry mode on the AC will help reduce the moisture in the air and restore comfortability back to your home.

What is the function of dry mode in AC?

Dry mode in an AC functions like a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers and air conditioners are actually very similar in the way they work. They both drag air across a set of cooling coils that causes the air to condense.

User Guidelines for AC Dehumidifier (Dry) Mode

Condition	Dry Mode Usage	Recommended Settings	Notes
High Humidity, Mild Temperature	Yes	Moderate fan speed	Ideal for reducing humidity without overcooling the room.
High Humidity, High Temperature	Optional	Combine with cool mode at a higher temperature setting	Helps in maintaining comfort without excessive cooling.
Moderate Humidity, High Temperature	No	Use cool mode instead	Dry mode is less effective and unnecessary.
Continuous High Humidity	Yes, intermittently	Use periodically to maintain comfort	Prevents overuse and maintains energy efficiency.
Night Time or Low Activity	Yes	Lower fan speed, higher temperature	Reduces noise and maintains comfort during less active hours.

Air conditioner dry mode vs. dehumidifier

The difference is that air conditioners move the air across the cooling coils to cool off the air where is a dehumidifier moves the air across the cooling coils to condense the air but then reheats the air to repeat the process.

Dry mode vs. cool mode

Dry mode on your AC is the air conditioning setting that turns on the dehumidification function of the AC to reduce the humidity in the air.

Cool mode is the setting that cools down the air. Cool mode is the most common setting on an AC. It is the mood of the air conditioner that cools down the room to the temperature that you set the thermostat to.

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Air conditioner dehumidifier mode

Humidity, especially the excessive humidity that tends to hit in the hottest months can be a real enemy to your air conditioning.

When the relative humidity gets to a certain level, you can feel like the air conditioner is not even on.

And usually what happens is that you run to turn the thermostat down cooler.

But with so much moisture in the air and adding more power to the air conditioner, the results of turning the air conditioner thermostat down usually leads to the unit freezing over.

Then there is no cool air coming from it at all.

Another reason that humidity threatens your AC unit is that your system has to run on overdrive to keep up with the extra demand that the humidity places on it.

But you may be sitting on an air conditioner that has a function to help in those situations. And you might not have even known it.

The function I’m talking about is the air conditioner dehumidifier mode.

The air conditioner dehumidifier mode is usually represented by a raindrop symbol on the thermostat. It is also called the dry mode if you have an air conditioner with this function but it does not say dehumidifier.

Does an air conditioner dehumidify?

When your AC is in dehumidifier mode, it turns off the cooling function and slows down the fan so that the air conditioning functions as a dehumidifier to reduce the moisture in the air.

Does air conditioning dry out the air?

By reducing the moisture in the air, you can regain comfortability without even having the cool mode running.

Not only will that save you money on energy, it will help save you in the long run by not overworking your air conditioning system.

Best temperature for dry mode

The best temperature to use dry mode is when the humidity is excessive but the actual temperature is not that hot.

The ideal of turning the AC on dry mode is to reduce the moisture level in the air and restore the comfortability of the area without using the cool air mode of the AC.

The function of Dry mode on an AC is to lower the humidity in the room so that the air feels cooler. It does not actually control or utilize the thermostat to achieve a designated temperature.

Dry mode vs. Cool mode power consumption

ACs are one of the biggest energy hogs in your house. Everyone knows how much the utility bill can skyrocket in the summer months because of the power that an air conditioning system uses.

The different modes on an air conditioning unit or not only to help provide you with the most comfort possible in terms of climate control but also in financial terms.

The cool mode on an air conditioner is easily the most expensive to run. And it is the setting that most people tend to use exclusively.

But there are different times when using the cool mode on an air conditioner is not only more expensive, it can’t get the job done as well.

Dry mode on an air conditioner can actually lower your energy bill provided the climate dictates it.

When the humidity is so high that it is overcoming the air conditioning,

Turning the AC dry mode will not only help reduce the humidity in the air and make the air feel more comfortable, it will turn off certain features on the air conditioner that are causing the energy bill to be more expensive.

When the dry mode is functioning, it turns down the cool air and it slows the fan way down.

Which means the power consumption of the air conditioner is way down.

In other words, less power, more money in your pocket.

Not only does humidity cause your air conditioner make it feel like it’s doing less than an adequate job, it also makes your air conditioner overcompensate to try to get the temperature in the room down to a comfortable level.

That means the power consumption in cool mode during times of excessive humidity will actually cost you more.

Air conditioner dry mode in winter

The dry mode on an air conditioner, though it works like a dehumidifier to a certain point. But at the end of the day they do not have the full function of a dehumidifier.

A dehumidifier compared to a air conditioner not only condenses the water to capture the humidity, it reheats the air that is released.

An air conditioner simply does not have this capacity.

Even most dehumidifiers call for the temperature to be at least 60 degrees. Which makes them obsolete during the winter.

Using an air conditioning as a dehumidifier during the winter will not work for that intention, it will most likely cause damage to your unit.

Limitations and Considerations

While the dry mode in AC units can mitigate humidity to some extent, it may not match the efficacy of specialized devices like standalone dehumidifiers.

For instance, the Vellgoo Dehumidifier, acclaimed for its performance in large spaces, comes with user-friendly features such as a washable air filter and an automated pump for water drainage, offering a more tailored approach to humidity control.

Considering such a product could enhance moisture management, especially in highly humid environments, providing a more comprehensive solution than AC dry mode alone.

Should I Use The Air Purifier Ionizer? Debunking Myths and Unveiling Facts

There is a lot of information on the internet about air purifiers. A lot.

There is also a lot of competition when it comes to air purifiers from people who sell HEPA filter air purifiers versus people who sell ionizer air purifiers.

And a lot of misinformation coming from both sides.

Many websites claim that you should never use an ionizer because it can create ozone as a by-product.

And of course the other side says that the amount of ozone that ionizer creates is well below the federal limit and is not dangerous at all.

Hmm…

Should I Use the Air Purifier Ionizer?

I’m going to try lay out an argument that the ionizer on a air purifier is a good thing. Because not only does an ionizer provide a unique way of cleaning the air, it also can help the filtering function of the air cleaner.

1. Ionizers Help HEPA Filters Perform Better

Ionization and HEPA filter technologies actually work very well together. That’s because ionizers work by polarization, a process that clumps air particles together, which in turn makes it possible for a HEPA filter to actually capture the ultra fine particles that may normally be able get through the filter. Winix is a great example of a air purifier that offers all the capabilities of Ionized and Hepa filters.

2. Ions Have an Anti Bacterial Effect

Ions have remarkable capabilities beyond attaching to airborne particulates and increasing their weight, causing them to settle out of the air and thereby reducing the risk of inhalation.

More impressively, ions possess anti-bacterial properties that can deactivate harmful bacteria, contributing to a healthier environment.

An insightful article by New Scientist highlights a practical application of this phenomenon, revealing how the deployment of a negative ion generator in an intensive care unit successfully eradicated recurrent airborne infections caused by the Acinetobacter bacteria.

This groundbreaking discovery underscores the potential of ion technology in enhancing indoor air quality and preventing the spread of infectious diseases, making it a promising tool in medical and public health settings.

Amazing stuff!

3. Negative Ions Can Contribute to a Good Mood

Surprisingly, studies indicate that negative ions, invisible and odorless molecules predominantly found in natural environments like mountains, forests, and beaches, can significantly influence our mental well-being.

These ions, generated by natural phenomena such as sunlight, air, water, and the Earth’s inherent radiation, are believed to produce biochemical reactions in our bloodstream that increase levels of serotonin, a mood chemical, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

This intriguing link between negative ions and combating depression highlights the subtle yet profound impact that our immediate environment can have on our psychological health.

Who would have thought that negative ions and combating depression could have any relation?

Yes, the ionizer on your air purifier is an amazing tool.

The Ozone Dilemma

But the problem remains that ionizers do create ozone as a by product and ozone can be dangerous to breathe and can in fact oxidize your lung tissue in the right circumstance.

So what are you to do?

Air Ionizer Dangers

The first rule and regulation for using an ozone generator is that the area must be unoccupied by people, pets, or plants.

Then once the ozone machine has been operated, the area must be allowed to air out at least an hour or two.

Why would using the ionizer on an air purifier be any different than operating a ozone generator?

Somehow because an air purifier has an ionizer setting, it tends to make you want to believe that it can be left on all the time.

That’s not the case.

Just because the ozone that is being created by the ionizer on the air purifier is not being distributed at nearly the volume of a ozone generator does not mean that you should not respect the ozone any less.

Just like you would not use an ozone generator in an occupied room, you should use the same logic with the ionizer on your air purifier.

Even the small amount of ozone coming from an ionizer can build up especially if the ionizer is being used in too small of an area.

Using the ionizer setting when there is no people are pets around is the best way to ensure that you or your pets are not breathing in any type of concentration of ozone.

But meanwhile still getting the benefits and advantages of using an ionizer that a HEPA filter air purifier do not give you alone.

Personal Ionizers

Why is it then that devices like personal ionizers are so popular?

Personal ionizers are usually are the size of a necklace and since you typically wear them around your neck, that’s a good comparison.

These air ionizers are so small that ozone cannot even be detected as a by-product, making them roughly equivalent to an ionizer fan.

But that also means that they can only work in a very small area.

Do Personal Ionizers Work?

The point of a personal ionizer is to purify or clean the air that is directly in front of you that is being breathed.

The ideal is that the particles around you, especially when you are sitting in front of your computer are positively charged. And since they all have the same charge they repel each other and remain kicked up into the air in front of your mouth.

Adding a small personal ionizer that is generating negative ions can help clear your personal air by attaching themselves to the positive ions helping them become too heavy to float and falling out of your personal space.

As long as you understand that these little gadgets are literally only going to help clean your personal breathing space and are not going to have big effect on an entire room, then they do have some validity. See: Air Tamer

As mentioned above, Negative ions also have some history of being believed to have a positive effect on your mood. Which can be affected by sitting in front of your screen all day. With that in mind, a wearable ionizer has even more function than might be initially thought.

Summary

Lots of fear and misrepresentation have kept people from gaining a better understanding of ionizers and the benefits did they can get from them.

Air ionizers offer a unique advantage in purifying the air, particularly when it comes to ultrafine particles. They operate on the principle of using electrical charges to alter the polarity of airborne particles. This change in charge causes the particles to attract one another, clumping together into larger aggregates.

As these clusters grow in size, they become too heavy to remain airborne and subsequently settle out of the air. This mechanism is especially effective for particles that are too small for traditional filters to capture.

While HEPA filters are highly efficient at trapping a wide range of particle sizes, they have a limitation in capturing particles smaller than 0.03 microns.

This is where ionizers complement the filtration process.

By running an ionizer, the ultrafine particles that would normally pass through a HEPA filter are made to clump together into larger particles. Once they’ve increased in size, these larger conglomerates can then be effectively trapped by a HEPA filter, enhancing the overall air purification process and ensuring a cleaner indoor environment.

Cats and dogs playing together.

Ions have also shown to be capable of making germs inactive as well as create a feeling of well-being.

With so many ups, what’s the down?

Unfortunately ionizers create ozone is a by-product in Ozone can be a lung irritant in the right situation.

Should that deter you from using an ionizer for the ionizer setting on your air purifier all together?

No. Simply remember that and ionizer is meant to be ran when the room is not occupied with people or pets.

Also ensuring that the size of ionizer is congruent with the size of the room that you are cleaning the air in will help prevent any ozone build up.

Ionizers have definitely had their problems in the past with false advertising or hearsay.

But running an Ionizer is not unsafe at all as long as you do so understanding the most important rule of working with ozone.

Don’t use it around people and pets and allow plenty of time to air out.

Also there are many ionizers such as personal ionizers that you wear around your neck that do not create enough ozone to be detectable and are not a problem to use at all.

Just don’t think that you’re going to get a whole room effect out of a tiny ionizer that you’re wearing around your neck.

The point of such a device has to clean the air in front of your face when you’re stuck inside an office cubicle in front of your flat screen and not much more.

Can You Leave a Window Air Conditioner on 24/7?

It’s that time again. The heat and the humidity have shown their ugly face once more.

You hate to do it, but it’s almost too unbearable to go without the AC. But how much is too much?

Does a window air conditioner have a limit for the amount of summertime abuse it can take?

How long can you leave a window air conditioner running? 24/7?

Technically you can leave a window air conditioner running all day and all night if you want and it will not hurt the AC or cause it to overheat in any way.

But you may want to remember that a large Window AC can use up to 1400 watts. Which will cause a substantial rise on your energy bill.

Window air conditioners cool extremely fast so if your bot going to be in a room for awhile, the best money is on switching it off when your out.

How long do window air conditioners last?

There is no reason that a window air conditioner will not last you 10 to 15 years as long as it is maintained properly. Even running it 24/7 all Summer long.

But even though it will not do any damage to the window AC itself, running a window AC 24/7 will reflect substantially on your energy bill.

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How many watts does the window AC use?

You can expect a 10,000 BTU window AC to use 830 watts. Which translates to about $120 a day if you were to run it for 12 hours a day in Texas. And Texas is by no means the most expensive state.

That’s a pretty shocking estimate. Even a window air conditioner that consumes 450 Watts would run you around $65 for a 12 hour day. Still pretty shocking.

Most window air conditioners are made to cool down a room very quickly so unless the room that it is being used in is occupied 24/7, there is really no need to keep a window AC unit running non stop.

Granted, there are times that you want the AC running for a little while before you get home from work or school or if it’s too hot to sleep and you want to keep the AC on till you get to sleep. But you don’t need it on all night.

Welcome to the modern world.

Window air conditioners now come Wi-Fi enabled.

Smart window ACs come with their own app that you can use to schedule when your AC is on, or turn the AC on or off from a remote location. You can also change the settings to increase or decrease the temperature.

This is a big advantage when you are shopping for a new window AC.

What are the benefits of Wi-Fi smart window air conditioners?

1. Energy savings

The ability to schedule your AC to run only according to your daily schedule means using your AC less and having more control over the amount of energy that is used. The smart app will also give you a detailed read of your usage to allow you to schedule even smarter.

2. Convenience

Smart window air conditioners control the temperature and only give or take as much as you need by monitoring and controlling the unit according to your indoor climate.

The app gives you complete voice command to switch your AC modes with ease also.

3. Maintenance and Notifications

Through the use of the smart app, you can keep track of every part of your air conditioner. This includes being notified when it’s time to change your filter or if any individual component goes out. It will also let you know if your AC is not draining properly.

Smart thermostats have been a thing for quite a while now and offer the luxury of being able to schedule your heat and air so that you use less energy.

Now you can get the same control with a window air conditioner.

Yeah sounds great. But I’m not really in the market for a new window AC. The one I got works perfectly fine. After all, these things last for 10 plus years if you treat them right, right?

If you already have a window AC that you’re perfectly content with and it’s not in the market for a new one, yet you would love to have the smart features that you can find on the newest window air conditioners,

The easy solution is a smart plug.

The truth is if you have a hub like Alexa, you can turn any device that you plug in to an outlet into a smart device with scheduling capabilities and remote operation.

Though there are obviously some features you’re not going to get with a smart plug over a fully integrated Wi-Fi smart window AC,

The capacity to schedule the plug so that it only comes on during the times that you have indicated is a big part of the equation that will take you a long way even if it doesn’t give you regular updates an alert you when you need to clean your filter.

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Summary

Even though running a window air conditioner all day and all night will not hurt the air conditioner or cause it the overheat, it will have a big impact on your energy bill.

Window air conditioners use a lot of Watts. Which will add up to a hefty Energy bill if not kept in check.

That’s why even though it’s fine to run a window AC 24/7, it is not suggested.

Scheduling your AC to run only when you need it is the best way to keep your energy bill in check.

But it is not the easiest thing to do, since there are times when you want the AC to run but you do not have access to be able to turn it on.

The newest kid on the block, the Wi-Fi smart window air conditioner has all the answers when it comes to being able to schedule your AC to come on and turn off when you want it to and also the ability to turn on and off by the use of built-in sensors.

A smart app gives you the ability to schedule your window AC, monitor the temperature, control it remotely, and even notifies you when you need to clean out the filter.

But if you are not in the market for a new window AC but you still want the capabilities of scheduling it, smart plugs can give you access and the ability to control when anything that is plugged into them is on or off.

A smart plug maybe the cheap way out, but sometimes expensive is just expensive.

When is it Too Cold to Run Air Conditioner for Dehumidifying?

One of the functions of an air conditioner is that it simultaneously lowers the humidity inside of the house when it is running. But unfortunately as the temperature drops outside so does the performance of the AC as both a cooler and a dehumidifier.

When Is It Too Cold to Run an Air Conditioner?

Air conditioners and dehumidifiers are not meant to be run when the temperature is below 65° for any extended time.

There are two reasons for this:

Freezing up
Oil is too thick

1. Freezing Up

When the air outside is too cold, the warm air that would normally turn into condensation as it crosses over the cooling coils is too cool already and instead of forming condensation it turns to ice.

2. Oil Is Too Thick

AC compressors are made to work in warm weather which means that they require a thicker grade of oil. This is because when the temperature is warm, it thins down the oil to a good operating thickness. But when the temperature outside is not warm enough to thin the oil, it remains thick and does not supply the level of lubrication needed without causing a risk of damaging the air conditioning compressor.

Most of the time there is not any use for an air conditioner in the cool months. And turning the heater on helps dry the air out as fast or faster than a dehumidifier.

On the occasion you need to turn on the air conditioner in the winter for a few minutes, the risk of damaging it is minimal. But turning on the air conditioner and leaving it to cycle on and off is asking for problems.

If you have excessive moisture caused from a leak or flooding and need more than just a fan or a heater to help dry up the air in the winter months, dehumidifiers can be purchased that can be operated at much lower temperatures.

These Dehumidifiers Come in Two Different Types

Dehumidifier with defrost
Desiccant dehumidifier

1. Dehumidifier with Defrost

A dehumidifier with defrost mode is exactly what it sounds like.

Since the standard dehumidifier runs exactly like a refrigerated air conditioning unit which pulls warm air over the AC coils and condenses it into a bucket or outside by the means of a garden hose, freezing over when the temperature is too low is a problem.

What’s the solution? Adding a defroster to the unit that cycles on and off keeping the cooling coils from freezing over.

These dehumidifiers are made with areas like a cold damp basement in mind.

2. Desiccant Dehumidifier

Desiccant dehumidifiers work by the means of a chemical adsorber which is called a desiccant.

A desiccant can be as simple as a product cold “damprid” which is a product that comes in a small container that is opened and left to absorb moisture in a small area.

A desiccant dehumidifier is a little more complicated than that. The desiccant in a dehumidifier is not only used as an absorber it is also heated up to release humidity also.

A two-part process where humid air is pulled into the dehumidifier and absorbed, reheated into humidity form again and then caught in a tank as condensation.

Desiccant dehumidifiers do not have the capacity to pull large amounts of moisture out of the air like the regular refrigerated condensing units do.

In fact they have been described as a way to keep dry air dry.

This is probably a good point to tell you that the chemical that they use to adsorb air is the same chemical in gel packs and does have an odor.

Nevertheless there are some applications like condensation in the bathroom where a desiccant dehumidifier maybe preferred because it does not rely on a loud compressor running to do the job.

A desiccant dehumidifier can also be a good alternative and a damp basement is long as it is not excessively damp.

Again, running a compressor base dehumidifier can be pretty loud, definitely loud enough to interfere with the TV or sound and video recording.

But a desiccant dehumidifier is definitely not useful in a remedial flood damage type situation.

Recap

When is it too cold to run an air conditioner?

65°

When the temperature outside gets to about 65°, the air passing over the cooling coils on an air conditioner has a tendency to start freezing up. At that point not only will you not have AC, you do not have any of the dehumidifying properties of an AC either.

Another problem with running the AC in the winter is that the oil that is used in the AC compressor is a summer specific thicker grade that thins in warmer weather.

When the temperature outside is not warm enough, the oil does not thin out properly leaving the compressor to work without the proper lubrication which could mean eventual damage to your unit.

Are you going to turn your AC on and winter and have a complete breakdown? Probably not.

There are times when you may need to turn on the air conditioner in the winter for a few minutes to make sure it works, in that kind of circumstances you should be fine.

If you are using your AC to dehumidify, the same problems exist.

High humidity usually comes with high heat so once the heat has tapered off, the humidity tapers off too.

If you are having a problem with humidity inside of your house in the cool months, there may be moisture getting into the house through other means.

Dehumidifiers that work in cooler temperatures can be purchased.

For excessive humidity in the winter, dehumidifiers with defrosters and defrost mode are available to help pull the large amount of humidity from your air.

If humidity in the winter is only a casual problem whereas the windows are getting condensation or you have an art room that is too damp for your paint to dry, you might go with a desiccant dehumidifier instead.

Desiccant dehumidifiers use a chemical absorber that pulls a much lower level of humidity out of the air and is much quieter than the typical dehumidifier.

And if you are going to use one in a small area like an arts and craft room, beware that the chemical used in these dehumidifiers does have a small odor.

BTU – Air Conditioning Lingo Confusion

Have you ever shopped for a window air conditioner or a portable AC and realized that there is certain language right on the outside of the box that supposedly tells you everything you need to know about the AC?

But the problem is no one seems to know what that language means.

The specific term I’m talking about is BTU.

What Are Air Conditioning BTUs?

BTU stands for British thermal unit. It is the amount of energy needed to heat or cool 1 lb. of water 1°F at sea level.

That tells me everything I need to know. Not.

The funny thing is, never in my life have I ever known what a BTU is. And I’ve never met anyone that did either.

Seems like an odd way to label an air conditioner when not too many people really seem to know what it is.

But if you’re shopping for a new AC, it’s a term you better become familiar with pretty quickly.

Room Size	Square Footage	How Many BTUs?	How Many Watts Used Per Hr
10 x 15	150	5000 BTU	1465 w
12 x 12	144	5000 BTU	1465 w
14 x 14	200	6000 BTU	1758 w
12 x15	180	6000 BTU	1758 w
20 x 20	400	8000 BTU	2344 w
18 x 25	450	10000 BTU	2930 w
20 x 25	500	10000 BTU	2930 w
25 x 30	750	15000 BTU	4396 w
30 x 30	900	18000 BTU	5275 w
30 x 35	1000	25000 BTU Range	7326 w
35 x 40	1400	35000 BTU Range	10250 w
38 x 40	1500	37500BTU Range	10990 w
40 x 45	1800	45000 BTU Range	13188 w
45 x 50	2250	55000 BTU Range	16118 w
50 x 50	2500	62500 BTU Range	18316 w

Let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

How Many BTUs Do I Need? What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?

The quickest way to give you a ballpark figure of how many BTUs you need is to use a simple formula.

Square footage (length times width) × 25

This is a rough figure based on a square room with average 8 ft ceilings and one or two windows that are not directly in the sun.

If the area you are looking to cool off has higher ceilings, increase the amount by 10%.

Likewise if the room is in the direct path of the sun, increase the amount 10% again.

Another factor to consider is the kitchen.

Are you trying to cool off the kitchen or is the kitchen in the vicinity that is adding heat into the area you’re trying to cool off?

If that’s the case then increase the amount of BTUs by 4,000 to combat the extra heat given off by the stove and other cooking equipment.

If you’re dealing with the Arizona sun or any other high heat climate, tack on another 10 to 12% of BTUs.

Don’t overdo it.

Bigger is not better when it comes to air conditioners.

You might think that if your room requires 5,000 BTU then getting an AC that has 8,000 BTU could only add more power and do a way better job.

Not so.

That might be a hard fact to accept for those of us who want bigger and better.

But putting too big of an air conditioner into too small of a square footage will cause humidity to build up in your room.

Humidity is not the result you were going for, presumably.

Humidity makes the room feel hotter than the temperature actually is.

Too large of an AC in too small of a space will not allow for the condensation in the unit to properly displace, which will cause it to evaporate and come back into the room as humidity.

A large AC in a small room will also cycle on and off much faster and use much more energy.

The same ratio can happen with an AC that is too small for a large room, except the AC will continually run without turning off and use much more energy.

What Are BTUs in Watts?

How many watts an air conditioner is going to use is also a big variable when it comes to shopping for an AC.

1 BTU is worth .293071 watts per hour.

Energy cost from running the AC is one of the biggest energy hogs you will have in your house hands down.

Energy saving is a must during the summer. Running the AC day and night will put your electric bill through the roof.

So finding some ways to keep cool rather than the AC is always a smart thing to do.

A Few Tips to Keep Cool in Summer

1. Bump Your Thermostat Up

Most of us want the kind of cool air you get when you walk into a hotel lobby or a department store in our house.

But the reality is the comfort comes with a hefty price tag.

Simply learning to keep the thermostat a little higher and being comfortable in a little warmer space will have dramatic results on your energy bill. By just going from 72° to 75° on your thermostat, you could see a surprising change in the amount of your bill.

2. Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans, while technically doing nothing to change the actual temperature, do pull heat away from you so that you actually feel cooler in hot weather. Ceiling fans are much less expensive to run than the air conditioner also.

3. Shade

Shade can come in the form of plants, shutters, curtains, etc.

Shading your windows can have a great effect on the amount of heat that comes into your room.

Summing It Up

Choosing an AC with the proper BTUs for the size room that you want to cool is a must.

But how many people do you know that really know what a BTU is or what they’re supposed to do with that term?

BTU stands for British thermal unit.

If you’re in the HVAC industry or deal with heating and air very much then it is a term or an acronym that you are probably very familiar with and know how to use properly.

But for the rest of us, there is an easier way to determine how many BTUs you are going to need when purchasing an AC.

An easy formula is to take the square footage of a room and multiply by 25.

W × L × 25

And since we all know that rooms come in all different kinds of sizes, we simply add in 10% if the ceilings are higher or if it’s a particularly warm room that sits in the sun.

It’s also important to know that when it comes to purchasing an AC, more BTUs does not equate to a cooler room.

Too large of an AC will cycle on and off too quickly and will not displace the condensation quickly enough, which will cause your room to be extra humid.

An AC should help reduce humidity, definitely not add to it.

You should also be aware that the more BTUs an air conditioner has, the more watts it’s going to consume, and the higher the energy bill is going to be to run the unit.

Fan Mode on AC? – Should You Be Running the AC Fan Only?

For most homes, your thermostat fan should be set to AUTO, not ON. AUTO uses less electricity, removes humidity more effectively, and is the setting most HVAC professionals recommend for everyday cooling.

But don’t change it just yet.

There are several situations where leaving the fan set to ON is actually the better choice. If your home has hot and cold rooms, an in-duct air purifier, allergy concerns, or certain airflow problems, switching to AUTO could make your home less comfortable instead of more.

The trick is knowing whether your home is one of those exceptions.

Fan ON vs AUTO: Which Setting Is Right for You?

At first glance, the fan switch on your thermostat seems simple. It only has two settings:

ON – The blower fan runs continuously, whether the air conditioner is cooling or not.
AUTO – The blower only runs when the air conditioner is actively heating or cooling your home.

That tiny switch affects much more than airflow. It can change:

✔ Your monthly electric bill
✔ Indoor humidity levels
✔ How evenly your home cools
✔ How well your HVAC filter and in-duct air purifier work
✔ Overall comfort throughout the house

For most homeowners, AUTO is the better everyday choice. But before you decide, it’s worth finding out whether your home falls into one of the situations where Fan ON can actually improve comfort.

Fan ON vs AUTO at a Glance

Feature	Fan ON	Fan AUTO
Airflow	Runs continuously	Runs only during heating or cooling cycles
Comfort	More even temperatures between rooms	Normal temperature cycling
Humidity	Can increase indoor humidity during summer	Better moisture removal
Electric Bill	Higher operating cost	Lower operating cost
Air Filtration	Filters air continuously	Filters only while the system is running
Best For	Homes with airflow issues or in-duct air purifiers	Most homes and everyday cooling

Are You One of the Exceptions?

Most people should leave the fan on AUTO, but Fan ON may be the better choice if any of these sound familiar:

✔ Your upstairs is always hotter than downstairs.
✔ Some rooms never seem to stay comfortable.
✔ You have an in-duct UV light or whole-house air purifier.
✔ You want your HVAC filter cleaning the air all day long.
✔ You simply prefer constant airflow, even when the AC isn’t cooling.

If none of those describe your home, you can probably leave your thermostat on AUTO and enjoy lower energy bills with better humidity control.

Let’s look at why AUTO is usually the best setting—and when breaking that rule actually makes sense.

Why AUTO Is the Best Choice for Most Homes

If you asked ten HVAC technicians which thermostat fan setting they recommend for everyday use, most would tell you to leave it on AUTO.

That’s because your air conditioner is designed to do more than simply cool the air. Every time it runs, it also removes heat and moisture from your home. Letting the blower fan stop when the cooling cycle ends helps the system work the way it was designed.

For the average homeowner, AUTO offers three major advantages.

1. Lower Electric Bills

When your thermostat is set to AUTO, the blower fan only runs when your air conditioner is actively cooling the house.

With the fan set to ON, the blower runs 24 hours a day—even when no cooling is needed. That extra run time uses electricity and can noticeably increase your monthly utility bill, especially if your HVAC system has an older blower motor.

2. Better Humidity Control

This is the biggest reason AUTO is recommended during the summer.

As your air conditioner cools the house, moisture in the indoor air condenses on the cold evaporator coil and drains away. That’s one of the reasons your home feels cooler and less sticky after the AC has been running.

When the cooling cycle ends, the coil is still wet for a short time. If the blower fan keeps running continuously, some of that moisture can evaporate back into the air and be circulated throughout the house.

With the fan set to AUTO, the blower shuts off with the cooling cycle, giving the moisture a better chance to drain away instead of being blown back into your home.

3. The Air Feels Colder

Many homeowners assume that leaving the fan on all the time will make the house feel cooler.

In reality, the opposite often happens.

While the air conditioner is actively cooling, both settings deliver cold air through the vents. Once the cooling cycle ends, however, Fan ON continues blowing room-temperature air. That constant airflow can make the house feel less crisp, especially on hot, humid days.

With AUTO, the airflow stops when the cooling stops, so you’re only feeling cool air while the system is actually producing it.

Bottom line: If your home cools evenly and you don’t have a special reason to keep the air moving, AUTO is almost always the better everyday setting.

But what if your upstairs never cools down, some rooms are always uncomfortable, or you have a whole-house air purifier? Those are the situations where Fan ON may actually be the better choice.

When Fan ON Is Actually the Better Choice

Although AUTO is the best setting for most homes, there are several situations where leaving the fan set to ON can improve comfort or air quality.

If one of these sounds familiar, you may actually benefit from continuous airflow.

Your Home Has Hot and Cold Rooms

Does your upstairs always feel warmer than downstairs? Is one bedroom comfortable while another is always too hot?

Those temperature differences are common, especially in two-story homes or houses with long duct runs.

Leaving the fan on ON keeps air moving even after the cooling cycle ends. That extra circulation helps mix the air throughout the house, reducing hot and cold spots and creating a more consistent temperature from room to room.

It won’t completely solve airflow or ductwork problems, but many homeowners notice their house feels more balanced.

You Have a Whole-House Air Purifier or UV System

If your HVAC system includes an in-duct air purifier, UV light, or electronic air cleaner, continuous airflow often makes those systems much more effective.

After all, the purifier can only clean air that passes through the ductwork.

When the blower only runs during cooling cycles, the air purifier also stops working between cycles. Keeping the fan on allows the system to continuously circulate and clean the indoor air.

If improving indoor air quality is your primary goal, the slightly higher electric bill may be worth it.

Many homeowners pair continuous fan operation with an in-duct UV light or air purifier to improve indoor air quality. If you’re considering one, see our guide to the pros and cons of UV lights in HVAC systems.

You Want Maximum Air Filtration

Even if you don’t have a whole-house air purifier, running the fan continuously means more air passes through your HVAC filter.

That can help remove additional dust, pet dander, and other airborne particles throughout the day.

Just remember that better filtration comes with trade-offs. Your blower runs longer, electricity use increases, and in humid climates the house may feel slightly more humid during the summer.

You Prefer Constant Air Movement

Some people simply like feeling air coming from the vents all the time.

Even though the air isn’t always cold, continuous airflow can make the home feel less stagnant and eliminate that “silent” period between cooling cycles.

If comfort is more important to you than squeezing every dollar out of your electric bill, leaving the fan on may be worth the extra operating cost.

Fan ON is worth considering if:

Your home has uneven temperatures.
You use an in-duct air purifier or UV system.
You want your HVAC filter cleaning the air continuously.
You enjoy constant air circulation throughout the house.

There’s one important drawback, though, that causes many homeowners to switch right back to AUTO—especially during the summer. It has nothing to do with cooling and everything to do with humidity.

The Biggest Downside of Leaving Your AC Fan ON

If you only remember one thing from this article, make it this:

Running your thermostat fan continuously during the summer can actually make your home feel more humid.

That surprises many homeowners because the air conditioner is supposed to remove humidity—not add it.

The Biggest Downside of Leaving Your AC Fan ON

If you only remember one thing from this article, make it this:

Running your thermostat fan continuously during the summer can actually make your home feel warmer—even if the thermostat is set to the same temperature.

That sounds backwards, but you’ve probably experienced the reason before.

Why Does 100°F in Texas Feel Hotter Than 111°F in Las Vegas?

People who visit both places often notice something surprising.

Even though Las Vegas may be 10 degrees hotter, it often feels more comfortable than a typical summer day in Texas.

The difference isn’t the temperature.

It’s the humidity.

Your body cools itself by evaporating sweat. In a dry climate like Las Vegas, sweat evaporates quickly, carrying heat away from your body and helping you feel cooler.

In humid climates like much of Texas, the air is already holding a lot of moisture. Sweat evaporates much more slowly, making it harder for your body to cool itself. That’s why 100°F with high humidity can feel much more uncomfortable than 111°F in the desert.

Your air conditioner works the same way.

Cooling your home isn’t just about lowering the temperature. One of the air conditioner’s most important jobs is removing moisture from the air.

How Your Air Conditioner Removes Humidity

As warm indoor air passes over the cold evaporator coil, moisture condenses into water—just like water droplets forming on the outside of a glass of ice water.

That water drains safely away through the condensate line instead of staying inside your home.

This is one of the biggest reasons your house feels cool and comfortable after the air conditioner has been running.

If your air conditioner is running but you’re still uncomfortable, it could also be causing throat or respiratory irritation. Read our guides on Why Is My Air Conditioner Making Me Cough? and Can Air Conditioning Cause a Sore Throat?

What Happens When the Fan Keeps Running?

When the cooling cycle ends, the evaporator coil is still wet.

If your thermostat is set to Fan ON, the blower continues pushing air across that damp coil.

Some of the moisture that was just removed from your home can evaporate back into the air and be circulated through your ductwork.

Instead of draining away completely, part of that moisture ends up right back inside the house.

How Much More Does It Cost to Leave the AC Fan ON?

For most homeowners, leaving the thermostat fan set to ON will increase the monthly electric bill.

The exact amount depends on your HVAC system, the efficiency of the blower motor, and your local electricity rates, but the difference is often enough to notice on your utility bill.

Typical Monthly Cost Comparison

Thermostat Setting	Estimated Monthly Cost*
AUTO	Lowest operating cost
ON	Typically $15–$50+ more per month

*Actual costs vary depending on your blower motor, electricity rates, and how often your air conditioner runs.

Why the Cost Varies So Much

Not all HVAC systems use the same blower motor.

Older systems often have traditional PSC blower motors that use considerably more electricity when they run continuously.

Many newer systems use ECM (Electronically Commutated Motor) blowers, which are designed to operate much more efficiently. If your home has one of these newer motors, the cost of running the fan continuously may be much lower.

If you’re not sure which type your system has, assume that leaving the fan on all day will increase your electric bill until you know otherwise.

Rule of thumb: If you don’t have a specific reason to leave the fan running continuously, AUTO is usually the better value. You’ll save electricity while still getting the same cooling performance whenever the air conditioner runs.

Does Fan ON Cool Your House Faster?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about thermostat settings.

No. Leaving the fan set to ON does not make your air conditioner cool the house any faster.

The component that actually cools your home is the compressor in the outdoor unit. The blower fan simply moves air through your ductwork.

When the air conditioner is running, both AUTO and ON deliver the same cold air through your vents.

The difference comes after the cooling cycle ends.

AUTO: The blower stops when cooling stops.
ON: The blower continues moving room-temperature air through the vents until the next cooling cycle begins.

If you’ve ever walked past a vent and thought, “The AC is running, but the air doesn’t feel cold,” there’s a good chance the thermostat fan was simply set to ON.

In other words, Fan ON gives you more airflow—but it doesn’t give you more cooling.

Why Does My AC Fan Keep Running?

If your blower fan never seems to shut off, don’t assume something is broken. In many cases, the solution is surprisingly simple.

1. Check Your Thermostat Setting First

This sounds obvious, but it’s also the most common cause.

If your thermostat fan is set to ON, the blower is designed to run continuously—even when your air conditioner isn’t cooling.

Simply switching the fan setting back to AUTO should cause the blower to stop after the current cooling cycle ends.

2. Your HVAC System May Have a Fan Delay

Many newer heating and cooling systems intentionally keep the blower running for a minute or two after the compressor shuts off.

This allows the system to use the remaining cool air trapped inside the evaporator coil instead of wasting it.

If the fan shuts off after a short delay, your system is probably operating exactly as designed.

3. Check Your Air Filter

A clogged air filter restricts airflow and can cause your HVAC system to run longer than normal while trying to reach the thermostat setting.

If you can’t remember the last time you changed the filter, it’s one of the easiest and least expensive things to check.

In many cases, replacing a dirty filter improves airflow and cooling performance immediately.

4. The Thermostat or HVAC Controls May Be Faulty

If the fan continues running even though the thermostat is set to AUTO and the air filter is clean, the problem could be a faulty thermostat, relay, or fan control board.

These components control when the blower starts and stops. When one fails, the fan may continue running even when it shouldn’t.

If you’ve ruled out the simple fixes, it’s time to have the system inspected by an HVAC technician.

Quick Tip: If your blower is running but the outdoor AC unit isn’t, don’t assume the air conditioner is cooling. The thermostat may simply be set to Fan ON, which circulates indoor air without producing any additional cooling.

Final Recommendation

If you’re still wondering which thermostat setting to use, here’s the simplest answer.

Choose AUTO if you want lower electric bills, better humidity control, and the best all-around performance during the cooling season.
Choose ON if you have uneven temperatures, a whole-house air purifier, or you simply prefer constant airflow throughout your home.

For the vast majority of homeowners, AUTO is the setting you’ll want to use every day. Fan ON isn’t wrong—it’s simply a better fit for a smaller number of homes and situations.

Additional Resources

If you’d like to learn more about improving your home’s energy efficiency and indoor air quality, these government resources are excellent places to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should my AC fan be on AUTO or ON?

For most homes, AUTO is the best choice. It lowers electricity costs, improves humidity control, and only runs the blower when heating or cooling is needed. Consider ON if you have uneven room temperatures, a whole-house air purifier, or simply prefer constant airflow.

Does leaving the fan ON cool the house faster?

No. The blower fan only circulates air. The outdoor compressor is what actually cools your home. Leaving the fan on simply keeps air moving between cooling cycles.

Will Fan ON make my electric bill higher?

Usually, yes. Running the blower continuously uses more electricity than letting it cycle on and off with the air conditioner. The exact cost depends on your blower motor and local electric rates.

Can Fan ON make my house feel more humid?

Yes. During the cooling season, continuous blower operation can circulate some moisture back into your home after the compressor shuts off. That’s one of the main reasons HVAC professionals typically recommend using AUTO in the summer.

Does Fan ON help with allergies?

It can. Running the blower continuously pushes more air through your HVAC filter, allowing it to capture more airborne dust, pollen, and pet dander. The tradeoff is higher energy use and, in humid climates, potentially higher indoor humidity.

Should I use Fan ON if I have a whole-house air purifier?

Often, yes. Many in-duct UV lights and whole-house air purification systems work best when air is constantly moving through the ductwork. Check your manufacturer’s recommendations for your specific system.

Does Fan ON bring fresh air into the house?

No. In most homes, the HVAC blower simply recirculates indoor air through the ductwork. It does not pull fresh outdoor air into the house unless your HVAC system includes a dedicated fresh-air intake.

Why won’t my AC fan turn off?

First, check whether the thermostat fan is set to ON instead of AUTO. If it’s already on AUTO, a dirty air filter, fan-delay feature, thermostat issue, or control board problem could be the cause.

Is Fan ON better during the winter?

It can be. In homes with high ceilings, continuous airflow may help redistribute warm air that naturally rises, making temperatures more even throughout the house.

What thermostat setting do HVAC professionals recommend?

For everyday cooling, most HVAC professionals recommend AUTO. It provides the best balance of comfort, humidity control, and energy efficiency while still allowing you to switch to ON when your home’s conditions make it beneficial.

Can I Use a Humidifier With Well Water?

Quick Answer:

You can use well water in a humidifier, but whether you should depends mostly on the humidifier. Ultrasonic and impeller models can send minerals from the water into the room as white dust, so distilled water is usually the better choice. Evaporative and warm-mist models keep most of those minerals inside the machine, but you will have more wick changes or scale to clean.

Most people assume the question comes down to whether well water is “safe” or “unsafe.” The more useful question is simpler: Where do the minerals go when the humidifier runs?

In some humidifiers, they land on the wick or heating element. In others, they leave the machine with the mist and settle across your dresser, nightstand, and other surfaces as fine white dust. That difference should determine what water you use.

Start With the Type of Humidifier You Own

If you are not sure what kind you have, watch it while it runs. An ultrasonic or impeller unit produces a visible cool mist. An evaporative model uses a fan and a replaceable wick, and its moisture is usually invisible. A warm-mist unit heats the water and releases steam.

Humidifier type	What well-water minerals do	Best starting choice
Ultrasonic or impeller	Can leave the tank with the mist and become white dust	Use distilled water
Evaporative	Collect mostly in the wick	Well water may work; expect more wick changes
Warm mist	Build up inside the tank and on the heating element	Well water may work; expect regular descaling

Read Our Complete Guide : The Complete Humidifier Guide: Types, Benefits, Usage Tips and Safety

If You Have an Ultrasonic or Impeller Humidifier

This is where untreated well water causes the biggest indoor-air concern. These models turn tank water into tiny airborne droplets. When those droplets evaporate, dissolved minerals can remain behind as particles.

The first thing I would check is the furniture near the humidifier. Run a finger across a dark dresser, television stand, or glass tabletop. If it picks up a pale powder that returns after cleaning, the water is supplying more minerals than the machine can keep inside.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends using low-mineral water, such as distilled water, to reduce mineral buildup and dispersal. The agency also notes that ultrasonic and impeller humidifiers are the types most likely to disperse minerals from their tanks into indoor air.

Important:

Do not treat white dust as only a cleaning nuisance. It means material from the water is entering the room. Switch to distilled water, use a manufacturer-approved demineralization cartridge, or change to an evaporative humidifier.

A demineralization cartridge can help, but it is a compromise rather than a permanent fix. Very hard water can exhaust a small cartridge quickly. If the dust returns, replace the cartridge or move to distilled water.

If You Have an Evaporative Humidifier

An evaporative humidifier is usually the most practical choice for someone who wants to use well water without buying gallon jugs all winter.

The fan pulls room air through a wet wick. Water evaporates from the wick, while most calcium, magnesium, and other minerals stay behind. That greatly reduces the white-dust problem, but the minerals do not disappear. They harden the wick instead.

Most homeowners notice the change before the machine completely stops working. The wick turns stiff or crusty, the fan keeps running, and the room no longer reaches the humidity level it did before. At that point, cleaning the tank will not restore a worn-out wick. Replace it.

Practical Tip:

Keep one replacement wick on hand. Hard well water can shorten wick life, and discovering that during a dry spell usually means waiting several days for a replacement.

If You Have a Warm-Mist Humidifier

Warm-mist humidifiers boil water, so they generally do not disperse substantial amounts of minerals into the air. Instead, the minerals stay behind on the heating element and the bottom of the reservoir.

You will see the problem rather than dust it from the furniture: a rough white or tan crust develops inside the unit. As that layer thickens, the humidifier may heat more slowly, make more noise, or produce less steam.

Well water can be workable in this type of machine if you are willing to descale it regularly. Follow the owner’s manual. Vinegar is commonly recommended for mineral scale, but it should only be used when the manufacturer allows it and must be rinsed away thoroughly.

Is Your Well Water Actually Hard?

Well water is often described as hard water, but that is not automatically true. Mineral levels vary from one well to another. One home may develop a crust around its faucets within a week, while a nearby home sees very little scale.

Look for the ordinary clues first:

White or tan crust around faucets and showerheads
Cloudy spots on clean drinking glasses
Scale inside a kettle or coffee maker
Humidifier wicks that become stiff quickly
White dust near an ultrasonic humidifier

A hardness test gives you a better answer than guessing. But hardness only measures part of the water-quality picture. It does not prove that a private well is free of microorganisms or other contaminants.

What this means:

A clean-looking tank and soft-feeling water do not guarantee that the water is the best choice for a mist-producing humidifier. If the well’s quality is uncertain, distilled water removes the guesswork.

Distilled, Filtered, and Softened Water Are Not the Same

This is where people often spend money without solving the right problem.

Water option	What it changes	Best use
Distilled water	Removes nearly all dissolved minerals	Best simple choice for ultrasonic and impeller models
Demineralization cartridge	Reduces minerals before mist is produced	Useful when approved for the humidifier and replaced on time
Ordinary drinking-water filter	Varies by filter; many do not remove hardness minerals	Use only if its specifications address the minerals in question
Softened water	Exchanges calcium and magnesium for sodium or potassium	May reduce scale, but is not the same as distilled water

A whole-house softener can make scale easier to manage, but it does not produce mineral-free water. I would not install one solely to supply a small portable humidifier. If an ultrasonic unit is leaving dust, distilled water or a suitable demineralization system is the more direct solution.

Cleaning Solves a Different Problem

Descaling removes mineral crust. Cleaning also helps prevent film and microorganisms from building up in standing water. Neither one changes what untreated mineral-heavy water releases while an ultrasonic or impeller humidifier is operating.

The EPA recommends emptying, wiping, and refilling portable humidifiers daily and cleaning them every third day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advises emptying humidifiers every day, cleaning them according to the manufacturer’s directions, and allowing them to air-dry after cleaning.

Unplug and empty the humidifier. Do not keep topping off yesterday’s water.
Clean it according to the manual. Remove scale or film from every surface that contacts water.
Rinse thoroughly. Cleaner left in the tank can be released into the room when the unit runs.
Let the parts dry. Do this before storage and whenever the humidifier will sit unused.
Inspect the working parts. Replace a crusted wick, exhausted cartridge, or damaged component instead of trying to clean it indefinitely.

Important:

Do not add water-softener salt, essential oils, disinfectants, or scale-treatment chemicals unless the humidifier manufacturer specifically approves them for the tank. Preventing a mineral from sticking does not necessarily prevent the humidifier from sending it into the air.

When Should You Stop Using the Well Water?

You do not need to abandon well water because you find a little scale inside an evaporative or warm-mist unit. That is a maintenance issue. Clean the scale or replace the wick and watch how quickly it returns.

I would change the water or the humidifier when:

An ultrasonic or impeller model leaves recurring white dust
Scale returns so quickly that cleaning becomes impractical
Replacement wicks clog much sooner than expected
The humidifier develops slime, film, or an unpleasant odor
The well’s water quality is unknown or there is reason to suspect contamination

The simplest fix depends on the machine. Switch an ultrasonic or impeller model to distilled water. With an evaporative unit, decide whether more frequent wick replacements are worth the cost. With a warm-mist model, decide whether regular descaling fits your routine.

The Bottom Line

Yes, a humidifier can run on well water. That does not mean every humidifier handles it well.

If your machine sends visible cool mist into the room, I would start with distilled water. If it uses a wick or boils the water, your well water may be perfectly workable as long as you keep up with wick changes or mineral scale.

Watch where the minerals end up. Once you know that, the right water choice becomes much easier.