When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can make up a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

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

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is complete.

There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system's fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could increase your energy bills 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 Each Season

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

The reverse can take place over 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 remain warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.