When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently contribute a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can raise your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Continuous 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 will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, 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 preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase 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 minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.