Once the weather is cooling off, you may be wondering about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently make up a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

The bulk 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 provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan can add to your energy bills somewhat.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air may linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to preserve the desired temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may 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 switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough 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. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s ventilation.