When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could raise your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, 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 Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the desired temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pull 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, 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 has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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