When the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to boost efficiency?
Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces can run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is complete.
There are advantages and disadvantages to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.
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 should improve as constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
- A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan will likely increase your energy bills somewhat.
- Continuous airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the set temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 might be best for you if:
Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar 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 has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.