QA

What Is A Whole House Fan

Does a whole house fan really work?

Whole house fans can effectively cool down a house. Research conducted in California showed that homeowners who install whole-house fans reduced their dependency on their air conditioning systems by nearly 50%. The only time they were dependent on their air conditioning was on days of extreme heat.

What is a whole house fan used for?

The whole house fan pulls air in from open windows and exhausts it through the attic and roof. It provides good attic ventilation in addition to whole house cooling.

Can you run a whole house fan all night?

Do not run your whole house fan during the day unless the temperature outside is cooler than the house is inside, though you may want to run the fan during the day to push air out of the attic. To do so, direct airflow from either the basement or the shady side of the home.

Is a whole house fan the same as AC?

A whole house fan is capable of cooling down a hot home faster than an air conditioning system. However, the whole house fan will work effectively only when the outdoor air cools down at night to a temperature significantly lower than the air indoors. Air conditioning functions independently of the air temperature.

How many windows should be open with a whole house fan?

A: Opening two or more windows half way or more is recommended. Basically you should make it easy for the home ventilation system to pull in air. As for which windows to open, for general cooling you want to open windows far away from the fan to provide airflow to the whole house.

Can you run a whole house fan with the windows closed?

Since the windows need to be open to properly and safely use this appliance, and windows need to be closed to effectively run an air conditioner, the two appliances should not be used simultaneously. Cover and seal your whole house fan when the weather turns cold.

Can you use a whole house fan in the winter?

Using a whole house fan during the winter can actually prove to be largely effective in a myriad of ways. Running your whole house fan also gives you superior circulation of air. During the winter, most homes become stale as people do not open their windows to let new and fresh air in.

Can a whole house fan cause mold?

And they are great for exhausting moisture as well that builds up in the home. Many homeowners that have a whole house fan love running them when they get out of the shower to exhaust all that steam and humidity that builds up and can cause mold.

What’s the difference between an attic fan and a whole house fan?

Attic fans are quite different. They’re installed up on a roof or through an exterior wall up in an attic. Whole-house fans need windows and doors open and attic fans need lots of soffit vents to suck cooler outdoor air up into the hot attic. Without this open space, the fans will not move much air.

Do whole-house fans bring in dust?

Some types of whole-house fans bring air from the outside and at the same time push air out of your house. In these cases, it makes sense to have a filter, as the outdoor air could contain contaminants, especially dust or, if you live in a metropolitan area, exhaust fumes.

Do whole-house fans need to be cleaned?

Since whole house fans move a lot of air, they should be cleaned regularly. Whenever you are attempting to clean a whole house fan, safety is key. Before you begin cleaning it make sure you turn the power supply off.

How much does it cost to run a whole house fan?

A whole house fan averages about $150-$350 and costs about 1-5 cents per hour of use, compared to 17 cents – 20 cents an hour for air conditioning, according to the US Department of Energy[2] .

Is it cheaper to run AC or whole house fan?

The cost of operating a whole-house fan is also less expensive compared to an air conditioning unit. While energy usage will vary depending on how much you use it and what type of unit you have, in most cases it’s pretty much accepted that whole house systems are less expensive and use less energy.

Is it cheaper to run the house fan or AC?

Fans are cheaper to run than air conditioners, and can be used in place of air conditioners or along with them to save money. You can actually raise the thermostat on your air conditioning unit by 4 degrees without lessening the cooling effect if you turn on the ceiling fan.

Who makes the quietest whole house fan?

QuietCool QC CL-1500 – The Quietest Whole House Fan QuietCool comes with a high-quality whole house fan that can satisfy a lot of buyers’ needs. With 1472 CFM, this fan can be duct in the attic in order to reduce any unnecessary noise.