Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

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

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces may continue to run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the set temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might 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 increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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