Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could increase your energy bills slightly.
  • Continuous airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.