When the weather begins to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy costs somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can take place during 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 running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine 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 may work for you if:

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

Your home deals with 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 might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.