When the weather begins to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Some furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after 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 needs.

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 should improve as steady airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy costs somewhat.
  • Constant airflow may 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

During the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, 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 may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could draw 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 other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences 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 should help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.