When the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could increase your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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

In the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces including 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 serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.