As the weather is cooling off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could increase your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should 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 will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. In severe heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with stubborn 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 ventilation.