When the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can contribute a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to cut costs over the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since steady airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants 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 a component of the furnace, this means you might prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could add to your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Continuous 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 Summer/Winter

Through the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can take place in 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 could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should try 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 be ideal 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 can help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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