Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently add up to a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase 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 offer for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is finished.
There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort needs.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality should improve because continuous airflow will keep forcing 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 usually part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.
Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan could increase your energy costs by a small margin.
- Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
During the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the set temperature. In extreme heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.
The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to determine 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 may be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.