Solar House (Part 3 of 4) Solar Attic Fan

Close up of a solar powered attic fan. The fan is called the Solar Star and was installed by EnergyWise in Oklahoma City. Description of how it works, cubic feet per minute, and design considerations. … “solar star attic fan” “solar star” “attic fan” “attic vent” oklahoma energywise “how does solar work?” “solar energy” solar “solar fan”

Solar Panel Ventilator Vent Fan for House, Home, Roof, Shed, Boat – Mounts on Roofing, Fiberglass, Wood, Metal, Glass almost any type of Surface

This solar ventilator removes hot humid air from roof spaces much more efficiantly than normal wind turbines

Simple instructions show you how to cut a 3 inch hole or drill a pattern of small holes in your structure. The solar vent comes with a mounting base plate for the outside and a vent grill plate for the inside

Specs:

Voltage Voc: 2V

Current Isc: upto 400mA

Inside grill size; 6×6

Outside mounting plate; 6×6

Fan unit; 5 1/2 in.

Built in solar panel; 4 1/2 in.

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The five common mistakes house owners will make during the install of a whole house fan

Problem Number One:
Heading down to to the local hardware store and purchasing a whole house attic fan without doing the proper research first is the biggest mistake a home owner can make when installing a house fan. If you assume that you have the right size house fan, the best manufacturer, or all of the information you need in order to install the whole house attic fan yourself, chances are you will have to call someone to fix your do-it-yourself mistakes.

Solution Number One:
Hire a electric services company who has a good reputation for installing house fans. Even though the project can be relatively small, there can be a lot more to it than just cutting a hole in your ceiling and turning the fan on. A good licensed electrician will know: What size fan to use, Whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, Where to place the fan opening, When is the best time to use the whole house fan to maximize its benefit.

Problem Number Two:
Installing a whole house fan without the proper equipment, correct insulation, and proper placement of the main intake vent is a really big mistake.

Solution Number Two:
A qualified electrician will always recommend a house fan that comes with built in insulation. In the winter months, it is important that the whole house fan, the whole house fan housing, the vent opening, and the attic vents have the correct insulation so that you are not losing money by escaping warming air. Also, a good electrical contractor will know that the whole house fan has to be installed in a location that allows for maximum airflow starting at the windows and into the attic.

Mistake Number Three:
Purchasing the most inexpensive house fan from the hardware store is definitely a big mistake. House fans are an inexpensive option when compared to HVAC. The off the shelf models are not insulated, have unreliable fan motors, and are quite loud. The last thing a home owner needs is to hear what sounds like a jet taking off inside the home, or a squeaky fan motor each time the fan is switched on.

Solution Number Three:
Purchase a quality whole house fan that has good reviews and a great reputation. A quick search on several consumer goods review web sites will steer you in the right direction. Also, consult with your reputable electrician. They might carry a certain brand of fan that they trust and that has a great reputation for being a quality product. Do not purchase a brand that has no history of past performance or good reviews by lots of people.

Problem Number Four: (And this one is huge!)
Having a fan installed that is too large for the house is one of the biggest mistakes a home owner can make. If there is not proper attic ventilation, a whole house attic fan that is too large will quite possibly draw all of the hot air up from the interior space and into the attic, and then push that hot air back down into the living space through the wall switches, ceiling lights, electrical outlets, HVAC vents. In fact, a whole house attic fan that is too large for the dwelling will quite possibly make it warmer, not cooler.

Solution Number Four:
Before installing a whole house attic fan, consult with a reputable electrician and chose the model that is right for the house. If you don’t have enough attic ventilation, there are some simple steps that are recommended to provide that ventilation. A ridge vent, gable vent, soffit vent, and whirly gig are all inexpensive options for attic ventilation. A good qualified electrician will also work in conjunction with a licensed carpenter who can usually add the correct attic ventilation in a about a day if there is not any in place.

Usually, a smaller whole house fan will cool a home better than a larger fan, which is more often than not overkill. The goal with a house fan is balanced air flow. With constant movement of air throughout the home, it will stay cooler with less energy needed. Also, a smaller fan means less installation work, which is always a bonus.

Problem Number Five:
Turning on the whole house fan with the windows closed is a really dangerous thing. The house fan works by drawing cooler air in from the outside through the open windows and pushing the hot air up into the attic where it leaves the dwelling through the attic vents. If the windows are closed, there is a great chance that air can be pulled from the diverter that is on top of the water heater or boiler. What this means is that poisonous carbon monoxide can be pushed into the living space, creating a hazardous situation.

Solution Number Five:
Make sure to open the windows before activating the whole house fan! The fan is not there to re-circulate the existing air throughout the home. Its primary function is to cool the house, and provide a less expensive cooling solution than HVAC. In fact, a well installed whole house fan can cool an averaged sized house for a tenth of the cost of air conditioning.

The five common mistakes house owners will make before installing a whole house fan

Mistake Number One:
Making a trip to to the corner big box hardware store and purchasing a whole house attic fan without doing the proper research first is one of the biggest mistakes a home owner can make when installing a whole house attic fan. If you assume that you have the right size house fan, the best manufacturer, or all of the information you need in order to install the house fan yourself, chances are you will have to call someone to fix your do-it-yourself mistakes.

Solution Number One:
Hire a electrical contractor who has a good reputation for installing house fans. Even though the project is relatively small, there is a lot more to it than just cutting the vent opening and turning the fan on. A good licensed electrician will know: What size fan to use, Whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, Where to place the intake vent, When is the best time to use the whole house fan to maximize its benefit.

Big Mistake Number Two:
Installing a fan without the correct tools, correct insulation, and proper placement of the main intake vent is a big mistake.

Solution Number Two:
A reputable electrician will always recommend a whole house fan that comes with built in insulation. When it is cold, it is really important that the whole house fan, the house fan housing, the vent opening, and the attic vents have the correct insulation so that you are not losing money by escaping warming air. Also, a good qualified electrician will know that the whole house fan needs to be installed in a location that permits maximum airflow starting at the windows and into the attic.

Big Problem Number Three:
Buying the most inexpensive fan from a website is definitely a huge mistake. Fans are not expensive at all when compared to HVAC. The cheaper models are not insulated, have untested fan assemblies, and are very loud. The last thing you want is to hear what sounds like a jet taking off inside your house, or a squeaky fan assembly each time the whole house fan is activated.

Solution Number Three:
Make the right choice and invest in a quality whole house fan that has good reviews and a great reputation. A quick search on several consumer goods review sites will steer you in the right direction. Also, consult with your licensed electrician. They might carry a certain brand of whole house attic fan that they trust and that has a great reputation for being a quality product. Definitely do not go with a brand that has no history of past performance or good reviews by home owners.

Big Mistake Number Four: (And this one is a biggie!)
Having a whole house attic fan installed that is too large for the house is one of the biggest mistakes a home owner can make. If there is not proper attic ventilation, a house fan that is too large may draw all of the hot air up from the house and into the attic, and then push that hot air back down into the interior space through the wall switches, ceiling lights, electrical outlets, HVAC vents. In fact, a fan that is too large for the dwelling will quite possibly make it warmer, not cooler.

Solution Number Four:
Before installing a house fan, consult with a licensed electrician and chose the model that is right for the house. If you don’t have enough attic ventilation, there are some simple steps that can be taken to provide that ventilation. A ridge vent, gable vent, soffit vent, and whirly gig are all wonderful options for attic ventilation. A good electric services company will also work with a licensed carpenter who can usually add the correct attic ventilation in a about a day if there is not any in place.

Believe it or not, a smaller house fan will cool a home with less wasted energy than a larger fan, which is more often than not overkill. The goal with a fan is balanced air flow. With constant movement of air throughout the house, it will stay cooler with less energy needed. Also, a smaller whole house fan means less installation work, which is always a bonus.

Big Problem Number Five:
Operating the fan with the windows closed can cause a potentially hazardous. The whole house attic fan works by drawing cooler air in from the outside through the open windows and pushing the hot air up into the attic where it leaves the house through the attic vents. If you close the windows, there is a possibility that air can be pulled from the diverter that is on top of the water heater or boiler. What this means is that poisonous carbon monoxide can be pushed into the living space, creating a hazardous situation.

Solution Number Five:
Make sure to open the windows before turning on the whole house fan! The house fan is not there to re-circulate the existing air throughout the house. Its primary function is to remove hot air from the dwelling, and provide a cheaper, eco-friendly cooling solution than HVAC. In fact, a properly installed fan can cool an averaged sized house for a tenth of the cost of air conditioning.

Attic Aire – Whole House Fan – 54506 30In. W/Shut Wholehouse Fan

30″ Belt Drive Whole House Fan With Automatic Shutter, Pulls Air From A House Size Of 1900 SQFT, 5700 CFM, Runs On High & Low, 2 Speed Wall Switch Included, Needs 1095 SQIN Of Open Exhaust Vents In Attic Space, Rough Opening Is 34-1/4″ x 29″, Automatic Shutter Is White, Do Have To Cut Joist When Installing Fan, With Motor Mounted On Struts Above Housing, Fan Will Be Quieter Than Direct Drive Models, 10 Year Limited Parts Warranty, 5 Year Limited Labor Warranty.

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