When 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 bills frequently contribute a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

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

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can operate at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique 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 can increase because steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy bills slightly.
  • Constant airflow could 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 linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen during 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 may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work 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 should help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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