As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely make up a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

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

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on 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 throughout your home more uniform by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely add to your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to 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 such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the set temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain 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 be best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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