As the weather is cooling off, you might be thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely add up to a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?
Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is complete.
There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.
Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality will be highest because constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy bills somewhat.
- Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.
Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season
During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.
The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences 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 should help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.
