When the weather starts to cool off, you may be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills routinely make up a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to reduce costs, some people take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to improve efficiency?

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

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the air handler’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will start the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more balanced by allowing the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep passing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. As the air handler is usually part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely add to your energy bills slightly.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter in a shorter amount of time, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

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

Through the summer, warm air can persist in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, pushing the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the set temperature. In serious heat, this can result in needing AC repair more quickly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like 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 remain warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should try the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may 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 is more likely to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home deals with 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 might help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.