Once the weather starts to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a significant 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 can use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over 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 what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort preferences.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow may 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

During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the set temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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