As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but in general 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 finished.

There are pros and cons to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can increase your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 can linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

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

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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