Setting Your Thermostat Fan Correctly is an Important Energy Saving Step

Setting Your Thermostat Fan Correctly is an Important Energy Saving StepThe thermostat in your Greater Kansas City home has an important job. It tells your furnace or air conditioner when to run and when to take a break in order to keep your family comfortable at your desired temperature. Setting the fan on your thermostat correctly plays an important role in maintaining that comfort level.

The fan in your thermostat has two settings in addition to “Off” – “On” and “Auto.” But what’s the difference between these two settings? How do you decide which setting is the best fit for your home? First, you need to understand the differences between the two settings.

Thermostat Fan “On” Option

If you are setting your thermostat fan to “On,” the fan runs non-stop, whether or not the furnace or air conditioner is also running. The benefit of having the fan run non-stop is that it continues to circulate air, evening out cold or hot spots as well as continuously cleaning the air being circulated. The biggest minus to using the “On” position is that it costs more each month to do so. You also will find that the air filter will become dirtier faster, so if you decide to use the “On” position, be sure to check the filter more often and replace it as needed.

Thermostat Fan “Auto” Option

If you are setting your thermostat fan to “Auto,” the fan only runs when the heater or air conditioner is also running. The biggest benefit to using the “Auto” option is that it will save you money. It also prevents cooler-feeling air being blown out of the vents in the wintertime. It may allow inconsistent temperatures to build up in different parts of the house, however, and doesn’t filter the air as much. This option, with more frequent stops and states of the furnace blower, also will result in increased wear and tear on the machinery.

For more information on setting the thermostat fan in your home’s HVAC system and many other topics related to home comfort, contact our professionals at Overland Park Heating & Cooling, Inc. We have been serving the Greater Kansas City area since 1983.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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