As the weather is cooling off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan stays on. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as constant airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely add to your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 Each Season

In the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try 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 could be best for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar 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 experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.