Is It a Good Idea to Keep Your Furnace Fan Running All Winter?

If you’ve never used the “On” setting on your thermostat, you might wonder what exactly it does. Is it okay to keep running the furnace fan continuously in winter? A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling’s technicians provide reliable furnace repair in Louisville, KY, and can help you understand the benefits and disadvantages of running your furnace fan.

Let’s weigh the pros and cons below to determine whether this thermostat setting could enhance your winter comfort.

First, Learn About the Fan Setting on Your Thermostat

Look at your thermostat, and you’ll see it has three settings:

• On: If you want the fan running regardless of heating cycles, you’ll switch to this setting. 
• Auto: The “Auto” setting only enables the fan to run during heating cycles. 
• Off: You’ll choose this setting if you don’t want to run the fan or trigger heating cycles. 

Nearly every furnace and air conditioner has these options, though the interface may differ depending on the thermostat you have. The furnace fan pushes air from the air handler through the duct network. Therefore, it assists with heating cycles and can keep air moving regardless of the temperature.

The Perks of Running Your Furnace Fan Continuously in Winter

So, is it okay to keep running the furnace fan continuously in winter? Many property owners love the continuous fan mode. After all, it has a few benefits that make it an attractive setting that can enhance comfort. 

Indoor Air Quality

If you run your furnace throughout the winter, you’ll improve your indoor air quality. The constant air circulation moves through your filter over and over, so your filter captures more household contaminants and dirt particles than it would during sporadic heating cycles. 

What does that mean for you?

• You don’t have to dust as frequently. The filter does some heavy lifting by removing excess airborne debris. 
• You can breathe a little easier. Cleaner air can help resolve persistent allergies and sinus symptoms. 
• You might sleep more deeply. When you can breathe better, you might also sleep better. 

Heat Dispersion

Your comfort might also improve. When your furnace completes a heating cycle, its fan will evenly distribute the warmed air throughout the building, even after the cycle ends. Plus, elements like the sun’s position can warm your home or business more effectively. 

If you use humidifiers, you can switch the thermostat to its “On” setting to distribute the moisture to each room. That way, it doesn’t collect in one single area. 

Motor Preservation

All that starting and stopping wears your blower motor out. When the motor goes, it may take everything else with it. The component alone can cost up to $1,000.

However, it usually significantly impacts other parts’ performance. Letting it run and distribute air without powering down or up frequently can preserve it for longer.

The Disadvantages of Letting the Fan Run All Winter Long

Will running the furnace fan continuously in winter negatively impact your heating system? It does have a few drawbacks. Let’s explore those cons below. 

More Maintenance

You might need an extra tune-up each year to keep up with your system’s needs. When the fan runs constantly, it causes several consequences:

• Increased filter replacements: Since the filter works double time, it gets dirtier faster. You should increase your replacement frequency accordingly. 
• Dirtier fan blades: The blades will likely capture more dirt, which weighs them down and forces the motor to work harder. A technician can clean them during tune-ups, but you must stay on top of the scheduling maintenance. 
• Motor burnout: Running the fan is a double-edged sword for your motor. While it does lessen the stop-start cycle, it can still prematurely wear out the motor without adequate maintenance. 
• Filthier coils: The condenser and evaporator coils will need more frequent cleanings to function, too. 

Humidity Dispersion

If you already struggle with an arid indoor environment, you might want to limit your fan usage. The moisture may evaporate faster, leaving your air even dryer. You need humidifiers to mitigate this issue. 

Constant Humming

Many people don’t have a problem with the fan’s background noise. However, if you are sensitive to constant sound, you might not like it. The fan makes a soft humming noise while it runs. 

It doesn’t sound quite as loud as a regular heating cycle, but you can definitely hear it when running the furnace fan continuously in winter. 

Energy Impact

The fan needs electricity to rotate, which can lead to a spike in energy consumption and an extra $50 per month alongside your regular heating costs. Plus, if you don’t stay proactive about maintenance, you could lower your HVAC efficiency even further with excessive power draws.

Should You Leave the Fan Setting On?

Ultimately, the decision to run the fan constantly rests on you. 

• Can you afford the additional energy and maintenance expenses? You should budget for the utility bill increases and extra maintenance services that come along with constant fan usage. It might be worth the expense, but financial planning will help you determine the cost. 
• Will it make your building more comfortable? If some places feel slightly warmer than others, then you might appreciate the even heat dispersion. Add humidifiers into the mix to distribute more moisture to each room. 
• Could you use an air quality boost? Winter is the prime time for cold and flu germs, and you probably aren’t opening any windows to let fresh air inside. 
• Do you have the bandwidth to remember filter changes? You should change the filter every quarter under typical circumstances. However, you’ll need to change it monthly if you run the fan constantly.

Reach Out to A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling for Furnace Repair in Louisville, KY

Is running the furnace fan continuously in winter a good idea? It depends, but the choice is ultimately yours. 

A1 Mechanical Heating & Cooling has the expertise and experience to handle any HVAC issue. For a new furnace installation or furnace repair in Louisville, KY, reach out to our team today. Call (502) 708-2247 to schedule an appointment.