Do attic ventilation fans really work?
Based on our industry experience, the answer is, yes. Attic fans do really work. They will help to circulate air in your attic and ventilate the space so that it stays closer to the outside temperature. Attics can reach extremely high temperatures in hot, summer months and gather an excessive amount of moisture in the winter.
Are solar attic fans worth it?
Solar attic fans are a contentious issue. Some people claim they offer considerable energy savings and other benefits. Others aren’t so sure, pointing out drawbacks and questioning whether installing this technology in your home is a justifiable investment.
Do attic fans really help that much?
Yes, Attic fans can make a difference. They can provide a cooling effect that reduces temperature significantl y in your house. Using the simple physics principle of air circulation, it can draw in cool air while letting out the warm air. It will offer you more benefits that include: 1. Lowering Your Electricity Bill
How does a solar powered attic fan work?
- Pockets of stale air are circulated. When these zones of air are pushed to the exterior of the building, the overall air volume of the structure maintains a more consistent ...
- Circulating attic air is beneficial in the defense against mold and mildew accumulation. ...
- Solar-powered attic fans help to reduce ice damming. ...
Do attic fans make a difference?
Attic fans can make a difference in a number of ways. In the summer, a properly installed attic fan can remove excessive heat build up, providing c...
Do attic fans really cool down a house?
Attic fans can help your house feel cooler on hot days. With that being said, they are not going to cool your entire house. To maximize the cooling...
Are attic fans good or bad?
Attic fans are good at what they do: removing unwanted heat and moisture from an attic. They have earned a bad reputation because of poor quality p...
Should an attic fan run all the time?
Running an attic fan all the time in theory is a good idea. You want your attic to be close to the outside temperature. However, if you have a powe...
How does a solar attic fan work?
Solar attic fans work by pulling in the cold air from the soffits and pushing out the hot air that has accumulated at the top of the attic. This is basically how air naturally moves: cold air is at the bottom, and warm air is at the top. The attic fan just helps the air move more which adds cooler air circulation.
How long does it take to make a return on investment for an attic breeze solar attic fan?
This is the Attic Breeze Energy Savings Calculator! Based on the averages I put in ( see my screenshot), it will take 4-7 years for me to theoretically make the return on investment of an attic breeze solar attic fan.
What are baffles in a soffit?
Baffles are pieces of cardboard that basically prohibit insulation movement over certain areas. This will protect the soffits from getting clogged with insulation so soffits can properly breathe. You can check out this article from EnergyStar.Gov that explains the importance of baffles with attic fans.
What camera did Matt and his friend use to show how conditioned air is lost through the ceilings?
Basically, Matt and his friend partnered with a Flir (thermography) camera, show how conditioned air is lost through the ceilings.
Is an attic fan a good idea?
In my mind, attic fans seem like a great idea and have a great pitch, but in reality, you would be better off spending your money in other places.
Why install an attic fan?
With the cooling effect, you get by installing an attic fan, you will be using your air conditioning unit less. This will ensure that your cost of electricity is low.
Why is it important to keep an attic fan in?
The attic is your home’s shield during the hot days. During summer or the heatwave season, the attic fan will help in reducing your home’s temperature.
Can You Run An Attic Fan with the AC on?
Yes, you can mostly run your attic fan with the AC unit if you are living in a closed room.
What Temperature Should the Attic Fan Be Set to?
An attic fan works by drawing in cool air to the attic space that pushes out the hot air through vents. In such doing, the attic fan will reduce the temperature in the attic space that in turn cools down the whole house.
How Cold Should the Attic Be in Winter?
During the winter season, it is usually very cold and there is a lot of humidity. We should be able to have a cold attic and a cold roof during the winter season. Keeping the roof cool will ensure the building materials used can breathe.
Should I Remove My Attic Fan?
Having an attic fan in the attic space seems to be a low cost and an effective way of keeping your house cool during the hot season. You may be forced to remove the attic fan in case:
How Do You Insulate a Whole House Attic Fan?
A whole house attic fan is insulated to reduce air leakages thus saving the cost used in heating and cooling. The insulating material is used to cover the fan’s louver from inside the house and you do not need to enter the attic to fix it.
Why is an attic fan important?
In general, a high-quality attic fan can provide ongoing active ventilation to protect your, support insulation systems, and help provide some cooling benefits in certain climates.
How long does a solar attic fan last?
Your fan will run 12 months of the year without costing you a dime after installation. Read our review on the best solar attic fans.
What Are Attic Fans?
Before we tell you all about these fans, let’s talk about what they actually are.
How do attic fans work?
In the summer, a properly installed attic fan can remove excessive heat build up, providing cooling to an attic space. This helps reduce the pressure on your insulation systems, preventing unwanted heat transfer into your living space. This ultimately makes your home feel cooler, while also alleviating the work that your air conditioning system needs to put forth. In the winter, attic fans can also make a big difference by removing heat and moisture that escapes from the home. This helps prevent things like mold growth and ice damming.
Why do attic fans cost less?
Because attic fans take away some of the work that your air conditioning would be doing, you will spend less on running your air conditioning. However, running an electric fan in attics could mean the cost just goes towards the attics rather than the air conditioner.
How to reduce air conditioning in attic?
By cooling down your attic, you can decrease your air conditioning. Your air conditioner is currently having to work against the sauna that is sitting on top of your living space. Give it a hand by cooling your home’s upper space to outdoor temperatures before your turn up the AC. Cool down a second story in your home.
How hot is the attic?
As attics reach 150-160 degrees, much hotter than it even is outside, this can warm your house overall. You can even take your own attic’s temperature to see how hot yours is. Alternatively, you can schedule an attic inspection to get more detailed insights from thermal imaging tools.
Why do we need an attic fan?
Household ventilation has been a part of architectural designs since the great Egyptian civilization which was brimming with architectural excellence 5000 ago. The architects in that era have developed structures making sure that the building is naturally cooled by constant airflow.
Solar Powered Attic Ventilation Fans (SPAVFs)
Yu and Moore (2015) have done research on the performance of the SPAVFs.
How to Install a solar attic fan?
Step 1: The first step is to locate the place to install from the attic. Drive a screw in the center of the location penetrating the roof surface. From the top of the roof measure the circumference and cut a hole of adequate size to insert the fan with the solar panel.
SPAVF Operation
The operation of the solar-powered attic ventilation fan is quite simple.
Variety of SPAVFs
SPVAFs are available in different sizes. capacities, colors, and vents. Usually, the power of the motor in the SPAVF is between 10W – 40W. According to the power of the motor, the solar panel capacity might also vary from 10W to 40W.
SPAVFs for Thought
At the beginning of the article, we looked at why attic fans are important and why they aren’t very popular among people.
How does a solar attic fan work?
A solar attic fan works to lower the temperature of your home, keeps your attic dry and ventilated, and helps to maintain the structure of your roof. The main function of a solar attic fan, explained by Energy Star, is to cool down a hot attic by pushing hot air from the attic outside and drawing in cooler air from outside.
How to find out if solar attic fan is right for my home?
To find out if a solar attic fan is right for your home, contact Michele DuCoin at 856-809-2744 or send an email directly to Michele by clicking here. We like saving homeowners in the Delaware Valley a pretty penny without sales gimmicks or pressure. Written by Samantha Brumbaugh and Michele DuCoin. March 19, 2019. /.
What is the best tool to use to control the temperature of your attic?
With the right tools, homeowners can create cost savings and a comfier home. One of the best tools to implement is a solar attic fan. Solar attic fans revamp your attic’s temperature control and ventilation processes, saving energy and ultimately costs down the road.
Why is ventilation important in a home?
Ventilation allows a home to breathe and improves the quality of life of your loved ones inside the home. Along with controlling heating and cooling costs, proper ventilation also ensures homeowners get the maximum amount of life out of their roofing materials.
What is the importance of ventilation in an attic?
Ventilation is one of the three components that contribute to an energy efficient attic .
How does ventilation work in the attic?
The Building Science Corporation explains the importance of year-round ventilation. In cool climates, ventilation allows the moisture from the living space to escape through the attic. In warm climates, ventilation is necessary to push out the hot air that becomes trapped in the attic.
How hot is the attic?
According to HGTV, your attic’s temperature could rise up to 150°F if not properly ventilated. That heat works its way into your home where it forces the air conditioner to work harder, and as a result, your energy bills will go through the roof (no pun intended). Here’s where the solar attic fan comes into play.
Pros
If you’re considering buying a solar attic fan, they have many outstanding qualities. In the debate between solar attic fans pros and cons, here are the bright spots.
Cons
Solar attic fans have many advantages, but they do have some problems. When you look at solar attic fans pros and cons, here are the negative aspects of these machines.
FAQs
When asking, “Which is better?” between a solar or electric fan, the answer depends on the situation, as there are pros and cons to each.
Why use solar attic fans?
Solar attic fans can provide your home with an improved appearance that speaks of environmental consciousness when you make this investment. It also provides a lower profile then other ventilation options so that you can streamline the look instead of using bulky items that can cause distractions.
Why do attic fans use the sun?
Because solar attic fans use the sun for energy, you can operate the unit on the days you need it the most without worrying about the extra electrical expense. The extra sunshine gives you power on the hottest days of the year.
What are the pros and cons of solar attic fans?
List of the Pros of Solar Attic Fans. 1. This option runs on a renewable energy resource. The most significant benefit of solar attic fans is that they operate using renewable energy from the sun instead of being hooked up to your electrical grid.
What to consider before installing solar attic fans?
Before considering solar attic fans, you will want to think about how much direct sunlight your solar panel will receive each day. Cloud cover, dust, and other obstructions are essential to review before you commit to this technology as well.
How much tax credit do you get for solar attic fans?
If you choose an Energy Star-rated solar attic fan for your home, then you might qualify for tax credits that equal up to 30% of your initial expense. Because you’ll usually need two fans to create the results you want instead of a single traditional product, your expenses are going to double.
Why is my attic not warm?
Your attic can get pretty warm without direct sunlight exposure thanks to the thermal energy that comes from the sun. If you don’t receive those rays, then the solar attic fans are not going to operate. Some communities are unable to rely on solar power because they get 150 or fewer days of sunshine per year.
Why does my fan stop spinning?
Because most models do not use a battery as a backup power source, any drifting clouds that come along will interrupt the operation of this unit. The fan will stop spinning immediately once it loses contact with the light. That means you could be stuck with a hot day and no way to improve the conditions in your attic.
