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 bills frequently make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.
My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is finished.
There are pros and cons to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort preferences.
Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
- Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand 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 utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A constant fan will likely raise your energy expenses by a small margin.
- Constant airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, 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
During the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces including 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 run longer to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.
The reverse can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes pump 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 different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be ideal for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve 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.
