When the weather begins to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, 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 Each Season

During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the desired temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

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 could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household deals with 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. All kinds of homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.