When the weather begins to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely contribute a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what does the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money in the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Some furnaces will run at a low level with this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is over.

There are advantages and disadvantages to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely increase your energy costs slightly.
  • Constant airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

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

During the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pump 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 are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be best for you if:

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.