Once the weather is cooling off, you might be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk 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 provide for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

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

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Nonstop 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

Through the summer, warm air may stick around 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, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may draw 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 switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.