Attic Fans

HOME NOT PROPERLY VENTILATED - YOU'LL WANT AN ATTIC FAN
A home that is not properly ventilated will deteriorate faster over time vs. a properly ventilated home. A key factor you should consider is deciding where you will install your attic ventilator. Positioning next to a passive vent, may be counterproductive to what you are trying to accomplish. The goal is to ventilate the entire space with a cross flow, air moving in from one side and out the opposite end, an attic fan installed right next to a passive vent prevents the cross flow of air from happening.

WHAT DOES AN ATTIC FAN DO:
The use of an attic fan helps to reduce temperatures, and should in turn assist in making your air conditioning system run more efficiently. The heat build up without proper ventilation will cause your air conditioner to run harder and longer, costing you more money.

There are three basic types: gable mounted, roof mounted, and solar powered. There are benefits and drawbacks to each type of fan.

MOST COST EFFECTIVE MODELS:
Are gable mounted exhaust fans are the most cost effective models, prices average around the eighty dollar range for decent models.

DRAWBACKS TO A GABLE MOUNTED ELECTRICAL POWERED ATTIC FAN:
The drawbacks to an electrically powered attic fan are they are louder than most fans, and use electricity, which in turn costs you money to operate.

GET ONE WITH A BUILT-IN THERMOSTAT:
An electrically powered attic fan can also include a built-in thermostat, so they turn on and off based on the temperature inside the attic, another cost saving feature.

CONSIDER A SOLAR POWERED ATTIC FAN - IT'S POWERED BY THE SUN:
They are typically mounted on the roof of the home, although there are some models that exist for gable exhaust via a remotely mounted solar panel. solar attic fan costs nothing to run since it is powered by the sun.  However, solar attic fans are typically five times more in cost when compared to a standard attic fan. More importantly, the homeowner should keep in mind that when there is no sun the solar attic fan will not work for obvious reasons, while the problem of built up heat remains. We do sell solar attic fans though, as many people find that the few drawbacks are outweighed by their positive benefits.

ALTERNATE SELECTIONS: WHOLE HOUSE FANS
For homeowners, who are not at home during the day, but who arrive home during evening hours, when outside temperatures are lower than indoor temperatures, looking at different types of whole house fans may be a better option.  Here's why, a whole house fan will remove the hot air not only from your attic, but also from your living spaces.  This solves the problem of both a hot home both inside your living area and in your attic.  Furthermore, a whole house fan will reduce your air conditioner use, which can significantly affect your pocketbook in a positive way.