Once the weather is cooling off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?
The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and how 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 means that the system's blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces may continue to run at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is complete.
There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.
Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.
Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses somewhat.
- Nonstop airflow can 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
During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the desired temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.
The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best 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 increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent 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 supply of air.
