Once the weather starts to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely contribute a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces can operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can raise your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow could 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

In the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces such as 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 keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep 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 not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal 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 stubborn 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 constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.