Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through just what 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 the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces will generate heat 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 through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could add to your energy expenses slightly.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen 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 may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember 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 similar respiratory conditions can be stressful 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. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.