Once the weather starts to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely add up to a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase 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 offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will run at a low level with 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 during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using 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 throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

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

During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces like 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, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can occur over 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 setting on may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should try the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal 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 increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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