When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely contribute a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going 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 how 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. Some furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is complete.

There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort needs.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since steady airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy costs somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should 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 can stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may 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 remain warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal for you if:

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle 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 ventilation.