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What happens when the fan switch on a standard electro-mechanical thermostat is set to the "on" position?

  1. Run only when the thermostat is calling for the compressor to run

  2. Run when the indoor temperature reaches set point

  3. Run continuously

  4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Run continuously

When the fan switch on a standard electro-mechanical thermostat is set to the "on" position, the fan operates continuously regardless of whether the heating or cooling system is actively running. This means the fan will run all the time, providing consistent air circulation throughout the space, which can enhance comfort by helping to even out temperature differences and improve air quality by preventing stale air from settling. In contrast, if the fan switch is set to "auto," the fan would only run when the thermostat calls for heating or cooling, which is not the case when it is set to "on." Therefore, option C accurately reflects the behavior of the fan in this scenario.