When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan stays on. A few furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is finished.

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

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 since steady airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can raise your energy costs somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

Through the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain 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 will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely 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 shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.