As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there 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 on during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. A few furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

Through the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the set temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running 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 try 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.