As the weather is cooling off, you might be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

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

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system's blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is complete.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because steady airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain 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 not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.