When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently make up a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to boost efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs in 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 remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is over.
There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what's ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.
Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality should improve since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.
Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan will likely raise your energy bills slightly.
- Constant airflow can 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
Through the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.
The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.
If you’re still trying to figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.
