As the weather starts to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can add up to a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.
How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.
There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality should improve as constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.
Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan can increase your energy bills somewhat.
- Continuous airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season
Through the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces including 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, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.
The reverse can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:
Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance 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 shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.
