As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with 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 can help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because constant airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can raise your energy bills somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should 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 linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

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

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.