When the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the set temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

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

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.