Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to improve efficiency?
The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but for the most part 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 when the cycle is over.
There are pros and cons to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality will be highest as constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
- A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan can raise your energy bills by a small margin.
- Constant airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
In the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.
The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep 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 stressful 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. All kinds of homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.