When the weather is cooling off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan stays on. A few furnaces can operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can add to your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter soon, 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

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may 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 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 could be ideal for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.