Once the weather starts to cool off, you might be thinking about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely make up a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some owners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats have 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 will help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. A few furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you could avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan could add to your energy bills slightly.
  • 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

During the summer, warm air will sometimes stick around in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In severe heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The reverse can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually drift into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running 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 switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could be ideal for you if:

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

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly return 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.