Once the weather starts to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs 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 air handler’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since steady airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter soon, 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

During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces including 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, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the set temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The opposite 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. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

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

Your home has 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 should help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.