Once the weather begins to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently add up to a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to boost efficiency?

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

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Certain furnaces will operate at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off when the cycle is over.

There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and the ideal option {will|can|should]] depend on your personal comfort preferences.

Advantages to trying the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more consistent by permitting the fan to keep running.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps expand its life span. Because the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A continuous fan will likely raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Continuous airflow can clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you should replace it.

{Choosing Between|Should My Thermostat Be on|Which Setting for My Thermostat? Fan or Auto in Each Season

Through the summer, warm air can stick around in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to work more to preserve the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this could result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can take place during the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually make its way 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 stay warm.

If you’re still trying to decide if you should switch to the fan/on setting, don’t forget that every home and family’s comfort needs will vary. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on might work for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be stressful on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to increase 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 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 ventilation.