Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can increase your energy bills slightly.
  • Continuous 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 Each Season

During 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 pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place over 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 running could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to enhance 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 evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.