When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is finished.

There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

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

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.