When the weather begins to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, 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 will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the set temperature. In extreme heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can 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 keep warm.

If you’re still trying to decide 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 could be best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other 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 deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with stubborn 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 consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.