Once the weather begins 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 significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to boost efficiency?
The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.
There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what's ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.
Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality should improve because steady airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
- A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.
Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan will likely increase your energy expenses slightly.
- Nonstop 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 linger in unfinished spaces including 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, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this can result in 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 make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind 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 stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots 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 airflow.