As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can add up to a significant 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 could use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the 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 signifies that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Nonstop 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 Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will 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 stay warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out 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 might be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase 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 shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.