Once the weather starts to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently make up a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money over the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is complete.

There are benefits and drawbacks to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since constant airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely raise your energy bills by a small margin.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you’ll need to 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 linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the set temperature. In serious heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can happen in 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 could pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay 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 will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work for you if:

Someone in your household deals with 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 deals with hot and cold spots. All kinds 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 might help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.