When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for an 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 the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is finished.

There are pros and cons to trying 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 every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since steady airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely add to your energy bills slightly.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to 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 such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, 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 set temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

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

If you’re still trying to decide if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other 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 deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.