When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces may continue to operate at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as continuous airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely raise your energy costs somewhat.
  • Constant airflow can 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 Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

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

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work 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 improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.