As the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.
Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.
There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
- Indoor air quality should improve as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.
Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan can raise your energy bills somewhat.
- Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season
Through 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 pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.
