Once the weather begins to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means 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, in contrast, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could add to your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

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

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try 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 ideal for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.