As the weather is cooling off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to boost efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system's blower fan remains on. Some furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.
There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.
Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.
Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan can increase your energy bills by a small margin.
- Continuous airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
In the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.
The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.
