As the weather begins to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan stays on. A few furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely add to your energy bills somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow can 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 Summer/Winter

Through the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the set temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pull 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 try the fan/on setting, keep in mind 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 can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.