When the weather is cooling off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely contribute a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closer at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

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

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan remains on. A few furnaces may continue to run at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will run the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is complete.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort needs.

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since continuous airflow will keep passing airborne particles through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is typically a component of the furnace, this means you could prevent the need for furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Nonstop 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 may stick around in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the preferred temperature. In extreme heat, this could lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pump more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

Someone in your household deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard 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 shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting can help minimize these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s airflow.