Once the weather starts to cool off, you are probably concerned about how you’ll make the most of your heating and cooling. After all, HVAC bills can make up a big piece of your monthly electric bill. To learn new ways to save, some people look closer at their thermostat. Is there a setting they could use to boost efficiency?

Most thermostats come with a ‘Fan’ or ‘Fan On’ setting. But if the fan is on during a normal cycle, what will the fan setting offer for the HVAC system? This guide will help. We’ll walk through what exactly 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 the bulk of thermostats, the fan setting means that the HVAC blower fan stays on. Some furnaces can generate heat at a low level in this setting, but in most cases heating or cooling isn’t being generated. The ‘Auto’ setting, conversely, will start the fan during a heating or cooling cycle and switch it off after the cycle is over.

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

Advantages to using the Fan/On setting:

  • You can keep the temperature throughout your home more consistent by enabling the fan to keep circulating air.
  • Indoor air quality can increase since constant airflow will keep forcing airborne particles into the air filter.
  • Fewer start-stop cycles for the blower fan helps extend its life span. Since the air handler is often part of the furnace, this means you can minimize the risk of needing furnace repair.

Drawbacks to switching to the Fan/On setting:

  • A nonstop fan could increase your energy bills somewhat.
  • Continuous airflow may clog your air filter soon, increasing the frequency you will want to replace it.

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

In the summer, warm air can linger in unfinished spaces like the attic or an attached garage. If you use the fan setting, your HVAC system might gradually move this warm air into the rest of your home, forcing the HVAC system to work more to keep up with the preferred temperature. In serious heat, this may result in needing AC repair more often as wear and tear grows.

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

If you’re still trying to determine if you should switch to the fan/on setting, remember that every home and family’s comfort needs are not the same. Leaving the HVAC system’s fan on may work for you if:

Someone in your household has allergies. Allergies and other respiratory conditions can be tough on the family. Leaving the fan on should help to improve indoor air quality, helping your family breathe easier.

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