Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces can operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is finished.

There are pros and cons to using 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 in each room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow could 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

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including 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 preferred temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

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

If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, remember 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 tough on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly evolve 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.