Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can contribute a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to increase efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and when 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 means that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces can run 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 start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is complete.
There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what's ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.
Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
- A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.
Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan can increase your energy bills somewhat.
- Constant 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 will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should use 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 should help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home deals with hot and cold spots. All kinds 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 minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.
