As the weather begins to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely make up a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs over 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 HVAC blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is complete.

There are advantages and disadvantages to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, 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

In the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

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

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.