Once the weather starts to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely contribute a significant piece of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs in the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting means that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as constant airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might 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.
  • Constant airflow can 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 can stick around in unfinished spaces like 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, pushing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will 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 remain warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and similar respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help lessen these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s supply of air.