When the weather starts to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because constant airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from 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 experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.