Once the weather is cooling off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy bills slightly.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.