Do You Always Need to Run Your Furnace Blower Fan?

Most thermostats allow you to keep your furnace blower fan running constantly. But should you? What does the furnace blower fan do in the first place? Read on to find answers to these questions.

What Does a Furnace Blower Fan Do?

A furnace blower fan is the HVAC component that’s responsible for sending heated or cooled air from your HVAC system into the areas of the house where it’s needed.

When Should You Run the Fan Continuously?

How you can run your fan optimally depends on several factors:

The temperatures outside. Most newer homes and those that have had replacement systems installed recently have fresh air intakes tied to the ducts. When the fan runs, some exterior air mixes with the air circulating in your HVAC system. The incoming air will have to be heated or cooled. Therefore, a continuous fan will cause more work for the system during extreme temperatures.

When the temperatures outside are milder, your HVAC system won’t need to come on often to keep your home comfortable. It makes more sense to run the fan constantly in mild temperatures.

The lifestyle of your occupants. Some people are more sensitive to outdoor air and thus can’t open the windows. Some family members may have allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailments. Running the fan continuously keeps the home comfortable without having to ventilate with your windows.

The type of home you have. In a multistory home, the lower levels tend to be cooler and the upper levels naturally warmer. Running the fan continuously helps balance the temperatures in the home.

Your baby’s room may be at the end of a very long heating run. You may run your fan continuously to circulate more heated air through the room. While this may solve uneven heating in the short term, there are other solutions that an HVAC professional can provide to correct the issue.

As you can see, running your furnace blower fan continuously is more suitable for certain situations. For any furnace needs in the Lorain area, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.