As the weather begins to cool off, you may be concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and when you can use it to cut costs during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off when the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort needs.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve because constant airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could increase your energy expenses by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow can 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

In the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on 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, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may be best for you if:

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with 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 can help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.