Once 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 can add up to a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct 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 circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy bills somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow can 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

In the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pump 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 try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.