As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage 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 closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan stays on. A few furnaces may continue to operate at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.

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 since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter soon, 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 like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar 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. 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 might help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.