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

The majority of thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what can the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll share precisely what the fan setting is and when you can use it to save money over 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 stays on. Some furnaces will operate at a low level with this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is finished.

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

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in every room more uniform by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest as continuous airflow will keep forcing airborne pollutants into the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is typically part of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to using the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan can raise your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow may clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

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

Through the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to maintain the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can occur over the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which can eventually make its way into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on may draw more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

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

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

Your home deals with 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 can help lessen these changes by steadily refreshing each room’s supply of air.