On a thermostat, the Fan setting controls your HVAC blower motor, while Circ (Circulate) is a specific mode dictating how that fan operates when the heating or cooling isn't actively running.
Setting your fan to auto runs it only during heating or cooling cycles, while the on mode circulates air constantly at full speed. Your choice between fan settings depends on your home's comfort needs, energy costs, air filtration goals, humidity levels, and seasonal temperature patterns.
Air circulators are generally considered better for whole-room temperature regulation, while traditional fans are better for immediate, targeted cooling. Circulators use specialized aerodynamics to bounce air off walls, creating a continuous loop that eliminates hot and cold spots.
Yes, using the "circulate" setting in winter can be beneficial if your home struggles with uneven temperatures (like a cold basement or a hot second floor). It keeps the air moving without running the fan 24/7. However, it does use extra electricity, and moving room-temperature air can create a "wind-chill" effect.
I have mine set to run the fan for about 15 mins every hour. Running the fan too much will actually increase the humidity in the home because the indoor coil will be wet from condensation and if cold refrigerant isn't running through the coil that condensation will evaporate due to the airflow and make it humid.
Measure the square footage of your home. Divide the square footage by 2. This number represents the number of minutes your HVAC fan should run per hour.
Therefore, the fan uses about 360 kWh per month in the ON mode. The average kWh in the US costs about $0.12 so it costs about $43 per month, or about $520 per year, to run a fan continuously.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends an average winter thermostat setting of 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power F𝟔𝟖∘𝐅 (20∘C20 raised to the composed with power C𝟐𝟎∘𝐂) while you are awake and at home. This balances comfort with energy efficiency.
This is the setting used to move air in your application all the time instead of when the system is running. The Circ (Circulate) position, if available, will run the fan approximately 35% of the time, roughly 20 minutes each hour, minus any time the fan is already running with the heating or cooling system.
“Circulate” Mode
This helps to create general air circulation without using much power. If you have this setting, we recommend using it as often as you can because it's a good money-saver on hot days.
An air circulator is a small investment that can make a big impact on your comfort during colder months. By helping distribute warm air evenly throughout the room, it not only keeps you more comfortable but can also improve the efficiency of your heating system — potentially saving you money on energy bills.
An air circulator provides energy efficient, consistent coverage rather than the directed, forced air in order to create the wind-chill cooling effect of a smaller fan. Like personal-use fans, they come in a range of sizes to meet the demands of different uses throughout the house.
To determine which fan gives the most air, you need to look at its CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating. However, the physical mechanics—like motor strength, blade pitch, and overall size—dictate how that air is delivered.
If you want to save energy and money, the answer is usually “auto.” Here's why: When your thermostat is in the “on” setting, the blower will run regardless of whether the temperature set point has been reached.
If you use your fan purely for air circulation or filtration, 15 to 20 minutes per hour is the industry-recommended sweet spot. This keeps the air fresh, helps balance temperatures across rooms, and filters out allergens without causing excessive wear and tear on your blower motor.
There are two settings on your thermostat to control the fan – auto or on. AUTO means that the fan turns on automatically only when your system is heating or cooling air. Once the thermostat reaches the desired temperature, the entire system shuts off until the next cycle.
In most cases, Auto is the best, most energy-efficient setting for your HVAC fan. It only runs when the system is actively heating or cooling. Use On for continuous filtration or to even out temperatures, and Circulate for a balanced compromise that runs the fan intermittently without wasting energy.
Recirculating air will heat it faster, so yes. You should also recirculate your air when you are in a dirty area (lots of smoke, etc). Unless it's cold outside and humid in the car; then you get flash fogging if you recirculate. Or if it's cold enough, frost inside your vehicle.
Setting the fan to ON instead of the usual AUTO mode helps in maintaining and circulating the needed cool air in the different parts of your home. With this, the fan will keep on operating even when the desired cooling is obtained, and the cycle is finished.
No, 68°F is not generally considered cold for a house in winter. In fact, experts at the U.S. Department of Energy recommend 68°F as the ideal, energy-efficient temperature for the winter months while you are awake.
It is OK to set your thermostat to 74°F if you're happy with that temperature. However, many people find temperatures between 68°F–72°F more comfortable for everyday living. If efficiency is a concern, you might want to consider lowering the temperature by a few degrees to save energy.
In general, it's recommended to set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This may seem high compared to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it'll help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities – where your plumbing is often located – safely above freezing temperatures.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in a typical house, accounting for roughly 45−50% of your total electricity usage. Water heaters, refrigerators, and lighting round out the rest of the major draws.
Fan On runs your HVAC system's blower continuously 24/7. Fan Circ (Circulate) runs the fan intermittently for a set portion of the hour (usually about 30%) when the heating or cooling system isn't running.
Many Amish homes are built with plenty of windows to help circulate the air and bring in the cooler overnight temperatures. They open the windows on the top floors to help the heat escape while the family retreats to the lower grounds within their homes for comfort.