Once the weather begins to cool off, you are probably wondering about how you’ll take full advantage of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC costs routinely make up a big chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to save, some homeowners look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to improve efficiency?

The bulk of thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is going during a regular cycle, what will the fan setting provide for your HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll review precisely what the fan setting is and whether you can use it to reduce costs in the summer or winter.

Should I Use My Thermostat’s Fan Setting?

For most thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the system’s blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces may continue to generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being produced. The ‘Auto’ setting, on the other hand, will turn on the fan through a heating or cooling cycle and turn it off when the cycle is finished.

There are benefits and drawbacks to trying the fan setting on your thermostat, and what’s ideal {will|can|should]] depend on your unique comfort needs.

Advantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by allowing the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality should improve since steady airflow will keep passing airborne pollutants through the air filter.
  • A smaller number of start-stop cycles for the system’s fan helps lengthen its life span. Since the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A constant fan will likely raise your energy expenses slightly.
  • Constant airflow could clog your air filter up more quickly, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

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

Through the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces such as the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system can draw this warm air into the rest of your home, compelling the HVAC system to run longer to keep up with the set temperature. In serious heat, this could result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

The opposite can occur in the winter. Cooler spaces such as a basement will hold onto cooler air, which will eventually flow into the rest of your home. Keeping the fan on could pull 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 might work 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 can help to enhance indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. Lots of homes deal with difficult hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting might help lessen these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s supply of air.