Once the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs can make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces will generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is complete.

There are pros and cons to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as steady airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should 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 keep the fan running, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

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

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

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

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