Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely add up to a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs in 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. Certain furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need 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 may linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

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 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 switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough 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. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.