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 bills frequently add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat's Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can generate heat 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 start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • 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 Each Season

During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces like 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, forcing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the set temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain 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 best for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many 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 steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.