Once the weather is cooling off, you might be thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

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

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces can 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 turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort requirements.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since constant airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can increase your energy costs slightly.
  • Constant airflow can 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 Summer/Winter

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the set temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way 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 remain 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 could 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 can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.