As the weather begins to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to improve efficiency?
The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.
Should I Use My Thermostat's Fan Setting?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut 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 distinct comfort needs.
Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles into the air filter.
- A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.
Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:
- A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses somewhat.
- Constant airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season
Through the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.
The opposite can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget 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 is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home has 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 should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.
