As the weather is cooling off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to boost efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.
There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what's ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort requirements.
Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
- Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan can raise your energy expenses somewhat.
- Continuous airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
In the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In extreme heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.
The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.
