Attic fans are an essential part of any home. These fans work to push hot air to the outside so temperatures inside the attic remain cool. As a result, the interior of the home remains comfortable but having an attic fan also means paying less for heating and cooling expenses. In this article we wanted to provide some helpful tips for choosing and installing an attic fan so you can enjoy your home more but also save money.
As you shop around, you will find a number of different types of attic fans, each working slightly different. For instance, the traditional type of fan is the oldest type used and when installed properly, it is an efficient choice. The only downside to choosing and installing an attic fan of this type is that the volume of air moved is not significant. In addition, the way the traditional fan needs to be installed, a hole going into the ceiling is created but without this being insulated, hot or cold air can seep into the attic and ultimately into the home. Another downfall is the level of noise, which is greater than newer types of attic fans. However, these fans are the most cost efficient so if on a budget, this would be one consideration.
The solar attic fan is a very popular choice for obvious reasons. By choosing an installing an attic fan that runs on solar power, you pay nothing for electricity to operate it. In other words, the cost to run the fan is free since it depends on the sun. If you prefer energy efficient appliances, then this type of fan would be ideal. The one thing you want to keep in mind is that on cloudy or rainy days, as well as during nighttime hours, this type of attic fan is not charged.
If interested in choosing and installing an attic fan like this you might go with one that has a backup electrical source. Otherwise, you could end up with air sitting still within the attic, making the home too hot or cold on days when the solar grid cannot store power from the sun. Another benefit of a solar powered attic fan is that in most cases, the price is actually lower than fans that run on electricity.
The electrical attic fan is also a possibility, which as the name implies is a unit that generates power from electricity. Of all options when choosing and installing an attic fan, those that run on electricity are designed to move a significant amount of air. If you have a large attic and/or large home whereby greater air movement is needed, this type of fan would be one of the top choices. Unfortunately, because electric attic fans push greater volumes of air, they are also more expensive to operate.
You might think about choosing and installing an attic fan that operates via wind power. For many years, people chose units based on solar power but wind power has become a popular choice. As with solar attic fans those that run on wind are also environmentally friendly and cost efficient. Keep in mind that to install a fan that operates on wind it would be necessary to install turbine vents so wind has access to the fan. These fans work incredibly well and most are designed to operate on both low and high speeds.
Just remember that the location where the attic fan would be installed is critical. You want the fan to go in an area whereby appropriate exhaust to the outside would be possible. In addition, the fan would need to be placed near a ceiling opening, which would allow the unit to draw in air. With each type of fan, horizontal and vertical installation options are available so before choosing and installing an attic fan you would need to check the area so you know which type is best for your needs.
