When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, 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 the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort requirements.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since constant airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could increase your energy bills somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow can clog your air filter soon, 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

During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

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

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle with persistent 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 ventilation.