The warm air comes out the top back as Delenzyki said. If it's in an enclosed area I could see where the warm air could circulate round and round causing longer cooling. We've often thought of putting a muffin fan with thermal switch and perhaps some 3" venting to funnel to warm air out of the area. I'm sure if we did it would run less time. Of course, the fan would draw 1/2 amp so it might be a wash amp wise. Still the fan with a thermal switch would be a good idea.