When the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can add up to a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing 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 can increase since constant airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can raise your energy bills somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on will sometimes pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine 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 other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.