Once the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can contribute a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

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

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces will run at a low level in 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 over a heating or cooling cycle and shut 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 personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy costs somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 can persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can 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 remain 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 different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.