Once the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats come with 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 just what the fan setting is and when 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 indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to run at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since constant airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could raise your energy bills slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may 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 Each Season

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can occur in 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 could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough 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. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.