Once the weather begins to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both 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 can help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system's blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after 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 distinct comfort requirements.

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 should improve as continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow can 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 can linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the set temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will 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 remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.