When the weather is cooling off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review 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 the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort requirements.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely raise your energy bills somewhat.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In 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 can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain 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 are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.