When the weather begins to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

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

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will generate heat 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 turn it off after the cycle is complete.

There are pros and cons to switching on 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 consistent by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

Through 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 might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

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

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.