As the weather begins to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, 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 the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy expenses 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 may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this can 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 make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar 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 experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with persistent 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 constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.