As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely contribute a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can raise your energy costs slightly.
  • Constant airflow could 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 Each Season

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. In severe heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift 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 switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough 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. All kinds 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 can help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.