When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since steady airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Nonstop 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

Through the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might 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 experiences hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.