Once the weather starts to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently contribute a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to improve 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 offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.
My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?
For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the system's blower fan remains on. Some furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is complete.
There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.
Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:
- You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
- Indoor air quality can increase as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
- Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.
Downsides to switching to the F