When the weather starts to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC expenses can add up to a large chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some owners take a closer look at their thermostat. Is there a setting they can use to increase efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a typical cycle, what will the fan setting offer for your HVAC system? This guide should help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

How Do I Access the Fan Setting on My Thermostat?

For most thermostats, the fan setting indicates that the system's blower fan remains on. Some furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in general heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will run the fan over a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off once the cycle is finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks to switching on the fan setting on your thermostat, and whether you do or don’t {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 permitting the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase as steady airflow will keep forcing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • A smaller amount of start-stop cycles for the HVAC fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you might minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can increase your energy costs by a small margin.
  • Nonstop 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 Each Season

Through the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might pull this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. In extreme heat, this may result in needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

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

If you’re still trying to determine if you should use 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 be ideal for you if:

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

Your home has hot and cold spots. Many homes wrestle with persistent 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 constantly refreshing each room’s airflow.