As the weather is cooling off, you might be concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses routinely make up a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll share just what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

What Is the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to run at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more consistent by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can prevent the need for furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could add to your energy bills slightly.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on Fan or Auto in Summer/Winter

During the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can happen during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on may pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might be best 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 can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.