When the weather begins to cool off, you might be wondering about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills frequently contribute a significant chunk of your monthly electric bill. To figure out new ways to lower their HVAC bill, some people look closely at their thermostat. Maybe there’s a setting they should use to increase efficiency?

The majority of thermostats include both a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is running during a normal cycle, what does the fan setting provide for the HVAC system? This guide can help. We’ll walk through precisely what the fan setting is and how you can use it to save money during the summer or winter.

My Thermostat Has a Fan Setting?

For the majority of thermostats, the fan setting signifies that the HVAC blower fan keeps running. Certain furnaces will run at a low level in this setting, but for the most part heating or cooling isn’t being made. The ‘Auto’ setting, in contrast, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and shut it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature in each room more balanced by enabling the fan to keep generating airflow.
  • Indoor air quality will be highest because constant airflow will keep passing airborne contaminants through the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. As the air handler is usually a component of the furnace, this means you can avoid needing furnace repair.

Disadvantages to utilizing the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan can increase your energy expenses somewhat.
  • Nonstop airflow can clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you’ll need to replace it.

Should My Thermostat Be on? Fan or Auto in Each Season

During the summer, warm air may persist in unfinished spaces including the attic or an attached garage. If you leave the fan on, your HVAC system may gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work harder to keep up with the preferred temperature. In severe heat, this can lead to needing AC repair more regularly as wear and tear gets worse.

The reverse can take place in the winter. Cooler spaces like a basement will hold onto cooler air, which may eventually flow into the rest of your home. Leaving the fan running will sometimes pull more cold air upward, increasing the amount of heating you need to keep warm.

If you’re still trying to decide 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 deals with allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be hard on the family. Leaving the fan on can help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

Your home has hot and cold spots. All kinds of homes wrestle with stubborn hot and cold spots that quickly shift to a temperature different from the rest of the house. The fan setting should help minimize these changes by consistently refreshing each room’s airflow.