When the weather starts to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

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

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should 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 will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may draw 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 switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.