When the weather begins to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can increase your energy costs somewhat.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. 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 hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with difficult 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.