As the weather is cooling off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is over.

There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort requirements.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can increase your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous 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

In the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle 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.