Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to boost efficiency?
The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is finished.
There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort needs.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality should improve because continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
- A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.
Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan can increase your energy costs somewhat.
- Constant airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
Through the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, 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 extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.
If you’re still trying to figure out if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may 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 is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.