Once 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 bills can contribute a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort requirements.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because constant airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely raise your energy bills somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter soon, 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

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar 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. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.