As the weather is cooling off, you may be thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan stays on. A few furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants into 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 can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

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

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep 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 are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.