As the weather begins to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some people look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over 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 system’s blower fan stays on. A few furnaces may continue to run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from 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 has hot and cold spots. All kinds of 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 lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.