Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can contribute a large piece of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners take a closer look at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying 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 uniform by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since steady airflow will keep forcing airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can add to your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could 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 Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air can persist 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, pushing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear gets worse.

The opposite can take place in 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 will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be ideal for you if:

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.