When the weather begins to cool off, you may be thinking about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently contribute a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

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

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off once the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep moving airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is often connected to the furnace, this means you could minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could add to your energy bills slightly.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? 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 may draw this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to work harder to preserve the set temperature. In severe heat, this may lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place over the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan setting on will sometimes 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 switch to the fan/on setting, keep in mind that every home and family’s comfort needs are different. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work for you if:

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with persistent hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.