Once the weather starts to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently make up a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some homeowners look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

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

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy bills somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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

In the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including 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 keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.