As the weather begins to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

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

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could increase your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the set temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.