As the weather begins to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

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

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces can operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could increase your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the set temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to improve 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 should help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.