As the weather begins to cool off, you might be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can add up to a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they can use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what does the fan setting offer for an HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. A few furnaces can operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can happen over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to remain 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 best 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 is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift 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.