What setting should fan be on when heat is on?

Author: Sandra Hirthe  |  Last update: Sunday, March 16, 2025

Keeping your fan on AUTO is the most energy-efficient option. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously.

What should the fan be on when the heat is on?

"ON" keeps the fan running continuously, which can help with air circulation and filtration but may consume more energy. Choose "AUTO" for energy savings and "ON" if you want constant air circulation or improved air filtration. Temperatures can soar or plummet depending on the time of year.

Should the fan be on auto or on for heat in winter?

When it comes to whether you should set your furnace fan to “on” or to “auto” in winter, the answer for me is “auto” because it's the move that has the most to do with energy efficiency. It is not, however, the only thing you can do this winter to bolster your HVAC system's energy efficiency.

Does the AC fan run when heat is on?

Your HVAC fan should turn on and off with the rest of your heating and cooling system. It's normal for the fan to kick on a couple of minutes before heating starts or to stay on for a couple of minutes after cooling stops, but your fan shouldn't run for hours on its own.

What is the fan mode on my heater?

In most thermostats setting the fan to ON will run the circulation fan 100% of the time, regardless of the state of the thermostat. If the thermostat says its too warm then the compressor runs, once the temperature is met the compressor stops. Meanwhile the fan runs all the time, circulating air all the time.

Should I set my thermostat fan to on or auto

Should my heat be on auto or on?

Generally, the auto setting will start the furnace fan about half a minute after the burner is lit. The fan is turned off about a minute after the desired temperature is reached. The main benefit of setting the thermostat to 'Auto' is that it will result in more energy efficient usage.

Does fan mode make it colder?

Fan mode in an AC unit is a setting that turns off the unit's cooling function, leaving only the blower fan running. This mode doesn't cool the air; instead, it circulates air within the room. It can help distribute existing cold air throughout the room, especially when the AC compressor is not operating.

What is the fan on the thermostat for heat?

The fan setting on your thermostat controls your HVAC system blower. The blower helps circulate hot or cold air throughout your home until the temperature on the thermostat is reached. There are two settings on your thermostat to control the fan – auto or on.

Why is my HVAC fan not spinning while heating?

Why Is My AC Fan Not Spinning? In short, common issues that can cause an air conditioning unit fan to stop spinning are electrical issues, problems with the capacitor, contactor issues, a burnt out air conditioner motor, a broken fan belt, or clogged air filter.

How should fan run in winter?

During the colder months (winter), your ceiling fan should spin clockwise. During the warmer months (summer), your ceiling fan should spin counterclockwise. Most ceiling fans have a small switch on the fan body to control the spinning direction. Fans at low speeds will pull cold air upward more efficiently.

What is the difference between auto heat and heat?

The fundamental difference between the “auto” and “on” settings is that the fan runs continuously with the “on” setting, even if the heating unit shuts off. The “auto” function allows you to control how long the fan operates. Once the set interior temperature is reached, the unit and the fan stop.

Why is my heat blowing out cold air?

The heater might blow cold air rather than warm if the gas line supply has been turned off. This usually happens when something goes wrong with the heater, and it breaks. For example, maybe there was a problem with a gas valve, the gas supply pipe, or something else in your furnace broke down.

What should fan setting be on thermostat in winter?

There is no one right answer. The correct furnace fan setting will depend on the type of heating system you have and your indoor comfort preference. When the furnace fan setting is ON, it means the fan is always circulating air throughout the home—even if there's no heat coming from the furnace.

Why is my heat not kicking on?

If your furnace won't kick on when you turn the thermostat up, it could be due to a variety of reasons such as a tripped circuit breaker, a faulty thermostat, or a problem with the furnace itself like a malfunctioning igniter or gas valve. Checking these components might help you figure out the issue.

What setting should my fan be in summer?

During summer months, your ceiling fan blades should be set to spin counterclockwise. When your ceiling fan spins quickly in this direction, it pushes air down and creates a cool breeze.

Should the fan be running when the heat is on?

Circulating the heat helps avoid having warmer or cooler spots throughout your home. Better Air Quality: Setting the fan to “on” also means the air will constantly cycle through your HVAC unit's filtration system. If the filter is changed regularly, fewer particulates will be in the air, further improving comfort.

Why is my HVAC fan not turning on heat?

The problem could be loose wiring at the connections or a bad control board. Remember to check for a thermostat signal at the control board calling for the blower motor to turn on. If the multimeter measures 24v from G to C terminals, the control board should tell the blower motor module to turn the blower motor on.

Why don't I feel heat coming out of vents?

This could be simply because the vent air's temperature is below your body temperature. Check this by looking at your thermostat and observing the inside temperature.

Should the fan be on or auto for heat?

The fan only turns on when cooling or heating is required. If you are generally as comfortable in one room of your home as the next, you'll want to use the AUTO setting. The AC fan kicks in when needed and stops running when the job is done.

Why is my thermostat not turning the heat on?

If your thermostat won't turn on the heat in your home, change out the batteries and see if that fixes the problem. If not, your faulty thermostat could be the result of the following: A tripped breaker. Loose wiring.

Is it bad to leave thermostat fan on?

Leaving the fan running reduces wear and tear on the motor since it's not starting and stopping repeatedly. It's also beneficial to boost filtration, but leaving it on this setting has more drawbacks than benefits. When it runs nonstop, the fan consumes more energy, and the air filter needs frequent replacement.

Which fan setting makes it colder?

The ceiling fan direction in summer should be counterclockwise to help create a downdraft, which creates that direct, cooling breeze. Your fan direction in winter needs to be clockwise to create an updraft and circulate warm air around the room.

Should the thermostat be on auto or on?

Keeping your thermostat in the AUTO position means less overall energy is being used—and that reduces your utility bills considerably. Not only that, your air filter will last longer than they will if you leave your fan running continuously—in other words, if you leave it in the “on” position.

What does HVAC fan mode do?

Essentially, your air conditioner unit's fan mode controls the blower fan. You can choose to run the fan continuously or only when the AC is on. This setting helps circulate air in your home, but it won't produce any new cold air.

Previous article
How often do most people get their house cleaned?
Next article
Do mattress protectors absorb pee?