Once the weather begins to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces may continue to run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy costs somewhat.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more 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 drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

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

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