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

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely increase your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow could 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

During the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may 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 decide if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

Someone in your household has 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. Lots of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.