Once the weather is cooling off, you might be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system’s blower fan stays on. A few furnaces can run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages 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 using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as constant airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely add to your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow could clog your air filter soon, 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 Each Season

In the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to determine 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with persistent 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 consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.