When the weather is cooling off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is over.

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 throughout your home more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because steady 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. As the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could raise your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place over 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 running may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best for you if:

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with difficult 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 consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.