QA

Quick Answer: What Is An Attic Fan

What is the point of an attic fan?

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside.

Does an attic fan 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 cooling to an attic space. This helps reduce the pressure on your insulation systems, preventing unwanted heat transfer into your living space.

What is an attic fan and how does it work?

The basic principle of an attic fan is that it pushes hot air out of your attic space. An attic fan pulls air into the attic from the outdoors using the soffit vents you should already have installed in the eaves. As the attic fan draws outdoor air into the attic, it vents hot, stale air out through attached dormers.

Is an attic fan a whole house fan?

A whole house fan draws out air from the whole house and deposits it in the attic. An attic fan draws out air from just the attic and sends it outside.

Can an attic fan cause a fire?

“Most attic fans are put up there and forgotten,” says Kenneth Kent, deputy marshal of the Arlington County Fire Department. “They’re not inspected for years, and when they malfunction, they can start a fire.”Jul 19, 1994.

Is attic fan automatic?

An attic fan is normally automatic. An adjustable thermostat, which is included, turns the fan on and off according to the temperature. If you have a humidistat installed, it turns the fan on and off as well according to the humidity.

How much does attic fan cost?

There are three types of attic fan units. A non-powered turbine fan, the least expensive type, costs $50 to $100 and turns with the aid of rising heat inside the attic. An electric power attic fan costs $65 to $150. The most expensive type is a solar-powered fan costing between $120 to $320.

Are attic fans loud?

Attic fans are great machines that can bring some refreshment by blowing out hot air. Even though we all enjoy attic fans, they are mechanical devices and sometimes they can be quite noisy and annoying. In most of the cases, the noise will appear due to some parts of attic fan getting old or by being worn out.

How long does attic fan last?

Typically, attic fans have a lifespan of up to 15 years as long as they are properly maintained. This usually involves having the attic fan professionally serviced by an HVAC technician who will clean the fan shutters, lubricate the oil ports, and wash the fan blades as well as inspect the unit for any repairs needed.

How often should my attic fan run?

Generally speaking, an attic fan should run as long as it takes to replace all the attic air with outside air. Usually, this takes roughly 15 minutes. However, you can calculate a much more accurate time by dividing the strength of your fan by the volume of your attic space.

Can you run an attic fan all night?

Getting the most from your AirScape Only use your fan when the outdoor air is cooler than your indoor air. Make sure your A/C is off when you run the fan to avoid wasting energy. We recommend running the whole house fan all night. The goal is to cool your entire house down, not just the air.

Do attic fans work in the winter?

Winter Attic Fan Running is Okay? Your attic fan runs during winter regardless of the temperature to bring in dry outside air to replace damp attic air and prevent mold from starting in your attic. Your Jet Fan Attic Fan Humidistat should be set to 70 -75% relative humidity.

Are attic fans expensive to run?

An attic fan runs during the day to reduce heat build-up by ventilating just the attic area. Prices for electric attic fan kits average $70-$300, with operating costs of about $2-$3 a month; a humidistat (which activates the fan if it senses excess moisture inside the attic) adds another $90-$150.

Does an attic fan reduce energy costs?

One of the best ways to save money on cooling your house is to install a whole house fan along with an attic fan. These fans keep you from needing to run an A/C unit at all hours of the day, which will save a lot of money on your electric bill.

Can I run my attic fan with windows closed?

Can You Run An Attic Fan With Windows Closed? You can run an attic fan with your attic and house windows closed if you so choose. However, if you do, you’ll want to make sure that the soffit vents in your attic and the vents in the rest of your home are open.