Once the weather is cooling off, you may be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?
The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.
How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?
For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces may continue to run 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 turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is finished.
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 requirements.
Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep running.
- Indoor air quality will be highest because constant airflow will keep passing 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 part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.
Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:
- A continuous fan could raise your energy bills by a small margin.
- Continuous airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.
Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season
During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the set temperature. In serious heat, this could result in 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 may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.
If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to 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 may work for you if:
Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.
Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn 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 consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.
