When the weather is cooling off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?
Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is finished.
There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.
Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.
Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan will likely add to your energy bills slightly.
- Constant airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.
{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season
During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.
