Once the weather begins to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely increase your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter soon, 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

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including 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 run longer to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

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

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. 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 should help to increase 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 shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.