When the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can add up to a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is finished.
There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.
Advantages to trying 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 steady airflow will keep passing airborne particles through the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.
Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan can add to your energy costs by a small margin.
- Constant airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
Through the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.
The reverse can occur in 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 running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:
Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough 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 should help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.
