As the weather starts to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can make up a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and how 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 HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort requirements.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

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

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the desired temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other 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 deals with 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 can help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s ventilation.