When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after 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 using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

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

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running may pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.