When the weather starts to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both 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 just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces may continue to operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part 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 finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks 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 in every room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can increase your energy expenses slightly.
  • Constant airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need 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 may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes draw 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, remember 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and other 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 has 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 can help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.