Running furnace fan to destribute heat? (2024)

New here and preparing to install a pellet burner very soon. Question is, does anyone run their furnace fan to help distribute heat thru the house created by their stove? I am thinking this may benefit my crawlspace pipes as well and keep from freezing during very cold weather. In central Ohio so temps are not bad, most of the time...
Thx in advance, Bubba

Yep, move as much air as possible.

forgot to mention 1300sqft ranch on shallow crawl. NOT open floor plan but stove will be centrally located in 250sqft living room.
Was wondering if this will cause a backdraft and smoke up the house? WILL be using an oak.

In my opinion it depends on what type of floor plan you have and where your return is. If you have a cathedral ceiling and can modify the return to draw in warm/hot air from the top it is probably (even though it will not make a substantial difference) worth it, if you are drawing in air from near the floor it will be much cooler before you even get started.

I tried using the furnace blower to circulate the warm air(stove in basem*nt) but was unsuccessful. Each situation is different. Try and see if you notice a difference.

I use the furnace fan to move the warmer air downstairs. I made a hole in the return duct so that warm air gets there through the stairwell.

I also have a ranch on a crawlspace. I did this last year - theory being the same, run some heat through the underbelly (mfr'ed home) when it's cold. Pipes never froze. However, I have not this year. 10-20 outside, crawlspace is noticeably warm without doing this. so I've not worried about it this year. Also central OH, stove is only used source of heat. Can't hurt, but not sure if it'd be beneficial. Just my $.02, YMMV.

Live in a self built 28X40 log home, with a 14X20 loft open overlooking the living room and a large master bed room w3ith bath using like 28X20 of the space up stairs. Down stairs is Kitchen / dining / laundry / bed room #2, a full bath room, a smallish bed room used as mostly just extra space. Basem*nt is 10 feet tall. Pellet stove is on a hearth I built in corner of living rom. Return for built in ducts is one downstairs in hallway to bed rooms, and one in our master bed room. We do sometimes use the blower only, but more often just run house heat on a low setting. We also use 4 ceiling fans at times, and a couple small infared heaters for touch ups. Three sides of the basem*nt are in ground, 4th side was built with a patio which is mostly now enclosed under a 40 foot front porch. Basem*nt might drop into 50s if it gets really cold out. That room out there where was a patio really helps to shield it.