Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have 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 share what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort needs.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as steady airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should 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 may stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to improve 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 should help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.