Once the weather starts to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently contribute a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on 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 whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

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

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy costs somewhat.
  • Constant 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

During the summer, warm air may stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

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

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots 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 might help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.