When the weather is cooling off, you might be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because steady airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can raise your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow may 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

During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, 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 desired temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should use the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

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

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