Once the weather is cooling off, you are probably thinking about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently contribute a significant portion 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 boost efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review what exactly the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what's ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality should improve as constant airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks 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 should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

In the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work more to maintain the set temperature. In severe heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out 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 may be best for you if:

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

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Lots of homes wrestle 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 ventilation.