Once the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently contribute a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to improve efficiency?
The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces can generate heat 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 through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is complete.
There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.
Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
- Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan can add to your energy costs somewhat.
- 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
During the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly 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 can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.
If you’re still trying to figure out 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 may be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of 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 limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.