As the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can contribute a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during 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 stays on. Some furnaces may continue to run at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.

There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely raise your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Continuous 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 stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move 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 can result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could 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, 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough 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 deal with stubborn 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 airflow.