Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. 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, on the other hand, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is complete.

There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can add to your energy costs slightly.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out 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 might be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance 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 shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.