When the weather starts to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share 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 the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy costs slightly.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should 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 including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the set temperature. In serious heat, this could 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 flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work 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 increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has 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 should help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.