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.

Solar Powered Attic Fans – The How and Why Of Installing Them

When it comes to energy usage these days a lot of people are looking for alternative energy sources and as such solar power is very much coming into vogue. At its current level of technological evolution, solar power is a useful means of powering small engines to run simple devices. Fans are one such simple device and you will many instances where using a solar powered fan makes more sense than a fan powered by conventional means.

Many manufacturers now offer solar powered attic fans to ventilate and help keep attics cooler. If there is inadequate ventilation in the attic and poor sealing between the attic and the other rooms in the house, attic fans powered by electric means can potentially draw air from the house into the attic. Not only does this compromise energy efficiency but it can also increase the risk of moisture problems in the attic.

Solar powered fans rely on a small solar panel (typically 10 or 20 watt) to power a DC motor when the sun is shining. The fans are installed with intake vents to provide high-capacity powered ventilation without electric operating costs. Most vents are mounted high on the roof near the ridge and are combined with soffit or gable vents for balanced intake and exhaust air streams. Ventilation is only provided when there is ample sunshine to power the fan motor. The highest fan speed will tend to coincide with the greatest heat from the sun and consequently the greatest need for attic ventilation. By reducing attic temperature, attic fans can help reduce summertime cooling loads while at the same time providing ventilation without the added utility load.

Using solar energy to power air vents in your attic means you eliminate the need for electrical wiring in this part of the house and as a solar ventilator uses no electricity you are also avoiding any ongoing operating costs. You will find that the equipment costs for a solar powered attic fan are higher than those of a conventionally powered fan (around $200 more) but this will usually be offset by the money you save in not having to extend electrical wiring into the attic. In addition to attics you will also find solar powered fans used in greenhouses, outhouses, garages, sheds, out-buildings, and paint rooms.

Retail prices for solar powered attic fans range from about $350 to $600 depending on ventilation capacity, the manufacturer, and optional features such as a thermostat.

In instances of new construction, roofers will usually install powered ventilating units. If these units are solar powered roof vents there will be no need for an electrician to rough and finish wire the units. For retrofit projects, a roofer or do-it-yourselfer will be able to install a solar-powered attic fan using conventional tools and techniques.

Whilst not applicable in every instance where cooling is required, solar powered attic fans are an example of smart thinking utilizing a natural energy source.

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