How to Lower a Gas Bill Using the Fan Option on a Thermostat

Change your thermostat fan settings to cut your monthly cost.

Heating and cooling account for the majority of the gas bill for most homeowners. While you may return to a sweltering home and feel like turning the air way down to quickly cool your house, this won’t make it get cold faster; instead, you will just ramp up your gas bill. But by adjusting your temperature a few degrees and running your house fan sparingly, you can cut down your bill a great deal. Extreme temperature settings will only cause your house fan to run constantly even if your house is already at the desired temperature.

Instructions

1. Check all the vents in the house and make sure they are completely open. Closed vents will prevent air from properly circulating.

2. Turn your thermostat fan setting to "Auto" instead of "On."

3. Set the "Cool" setting to "78" degrees during the day, or when you are not in the house. During the summer, set the "Heat" to "68" degrees.

4. Replace your air filter to ensure the air isn't being restricted.

5. Hire an insulation company to check and see how much air you are losing from poor insulation. If the air is seeping out of the house too quickly, the fan won't be as effective. If the air in the house stays inside longer, the fan will circulate it from room to room and evenly distribute the temperature.

References

• Florida Public Service Commission: 101 Causes of High Electric Bills
• Tallahassee Gov: Energy Smart Plus Tips for Energy and Water Conservation
• WE Energies: 101 Money-saving tips