Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to improve efficiency?
Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.
My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system's blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces can run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is complete.
There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort requirements.
Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by permitting the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.
Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan will likely add to your energy costs slightly.
- Continuous airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.
{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
In the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the set temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.
The reverse can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on 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, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.