Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

Most 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 will help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and when 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 indicates that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, 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

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the set temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on 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 use the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots 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 constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.