When the weather begins to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once 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 switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by enabling the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since steady airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy costs slightly.
  • Constant airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

Through the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

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

If you’re still trying to determine 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 might be ideal for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds 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 might help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.