As the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces may continue to run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.

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 can increase because constant airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can increase your energy expenses 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 Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

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

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to 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 might be best for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle 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 consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.