As 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 can add up to a significant portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what can the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan stays on. Some furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

There are pros and cons to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep moving airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps expand 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 nonstop fan will likely increase your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, 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 Each Season

During the summer, warm air will sometimes persist in unfinished spaces like 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 work more to keep up with the desired temperature. In severe heat, this may result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could work for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other 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 experiences hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly return 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.