When the weather is cooling off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll prepare your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs frequently make up a big portion of your monthly electric bill. To try and find ways to reduce costs, some people look closely at their thermostat. Could there be a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

Most thermostats have a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting provide for an HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to reduce costs over the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the air handler’s blower fan remains on. Certain furnaces may continue to operate at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off after the cycle is finished.

There are pros and cons to using the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your distinct comfort requirements.

Advantages to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more uniform by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase because constant airflow will keep moving airborne contaminants into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps extend its life span. Because the air handler is often a component of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan could raise your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Constant airflow may clog your air filter soon, 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 linger in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you keep the fan running, your HVAC system may pull this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the set temperature. In severe heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear increases.

The opposite can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually drift 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 figure out if you should use the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on could 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 should help to enhance 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 evolve to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help limit these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.