As the weather is cooling off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system's blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter soon, 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

During 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 might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the set temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

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

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.