As the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely make up a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

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

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part 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 switch it off once 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 unique comfort needs.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter soon, 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

During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces such as 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 maintain the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place in 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. Leaving the fan setting on could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to determine 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 might be best 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 is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences 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 might help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.