As the weather is cooling off, you may be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The bulk 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 the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can raise your energy bills somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air will sometimes 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, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The reverse 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. Leaving the fan running could pump 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, keep in mind 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 has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.