Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

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

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces may continue to run 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 turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep 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 other 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 might help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.