As the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by enabling the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely raise your energy costs slightly.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, 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 Summer/Winter

In 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 can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift 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 switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.