Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently add up to a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. A few 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 start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is complete.

There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because steady airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could increase your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the set temperature. In severe heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can happen during 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 will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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