
When the weather starts to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently contribute a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to improve efficiency?
Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.
My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn 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 unique comfort needs.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality will be highest because continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.
Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan will likely raise your energy expenses somewhat.
- Constant 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 will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can happen during 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 pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard 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 evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.