When the weather is cooling off, you might be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep passing airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely add to your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the set temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can happen 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 pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should try 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 may work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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