As the weather starts to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely make up a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners 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 can the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll review just what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could increase your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the set temperature. In extreme heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

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

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.