Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently add up to a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?
The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is finished.
There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your unique 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 will be highest since steady 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. Because the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.
Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan can add to your energy bills somewhat.
- Continuous airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.
Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter
In the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.
The opposite can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may 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 use the fan/on setting, keep in mind 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 suffers from 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. All kinds of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.