When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

Most 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 the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs in 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 system’s blower fan remains on. A few 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 start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is complete.

There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Since 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 increase your energy costs slightly.
  • Constant airflow could 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 Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be ideal 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 enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.