Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently contribute a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could increase your energy bills somewhat.
  • Constant airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you will want 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 may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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