As the weather starts to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because steady airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow can 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

In the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep 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 will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work 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 stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.