As the weather begins to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely make up a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?
The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.
Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?
For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces may continue to run at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.
There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.
Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
- Indoor air quality can increase because steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan can increase your energy expenses by a small margin.
- Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should replace it.
{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
In the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces including 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, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the set temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.
The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could 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 try the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:
Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.