As the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently make up a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Some furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan will likely increase your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

In the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes 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 use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal 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 should help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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