Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what 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 signifies that the system’s blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces can run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is over.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can increase your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way 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 decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.