As the weather is cooling off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses frequently contribute a large portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to improve efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll share what exactly the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs during the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Since the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Downsides to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

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

Through the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to maintain the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more often as wear and tear increases.

The reverse can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to stay warm.

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

Someone in your household suffers from allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on is more likely to increase indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home experiences hot and cold spots. Many homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly return to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.