When the weather starts to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps extend 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.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely add to your energy costs slightly.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 Each Season

During the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. In severe heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could draw 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 switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may 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 can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots 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 might help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.