When the weather begins to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can 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 can the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since continuous airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

Through the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the desired temperature. In severe heat, this could result in 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 make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use the fan/on setting, remember 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 suffers from allergies. Allergies and other 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. All kinds of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s ventilation.