As the weather begins to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently add up to a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

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

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow can 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 persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like 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 pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.