As the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy costs somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the desired temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.