As the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?
Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.
What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is over.
There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option should depend on your distinct comfort preferences.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
- Indoor air quality will be highest since steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.
Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan can increase your energy expenses slightly.
- Continuous airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, 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 can stick around 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, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the desired temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.
The opposite can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best for you if:
Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home has 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 might help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.