Once the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to increase efficiency?
Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is finished.
There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what's ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.
Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality can increase as constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan can add to your energy costs slightly.
- Constant airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
Through the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.
The reverse can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences 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 can help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.