Once the weather is cooling off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to run at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is over.

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 preferences.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow can 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

Through the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can happen over 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 may pump 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 best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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