When the weather begins to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely add up to a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can increase your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, 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

In the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the set temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur 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 setting on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might 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 increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with stubborn 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 ventilation.