As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan over 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 in each room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since continuous airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could add to your energy bills slightly.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should 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 linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can occur during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on 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 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 might work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to enhance 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 evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.