An electric attic fan, or whole-house fan, is a great alternative to air conditioning if you don’t want the high cost energy bill of running your air conditioning unit all summer or don’t have the funds to install central air. Attic fans are easy to use as long as they’re installed properly, and there’s easy access to the controls. An attic fan requires little maintenance, which is a good, since attic fans are often difficult to access in heavily insulated attic spaces.
Great way to Cool The House
Attic fans can be used to cool down your living space any time the air outside is cooler than the air in your home. An attic fan pulls air in through open windows and doors while pushing hot air out of the home through attic vents. Some attic fans are designed with thermostats and turn on automatically when the air reaches a certain temperature. Simpler fan models generally have on-off switches or dials that allow you to run the fan for a specified amount of time, such as 20 minutes.
Easy Operation
Operating an attic fan is so easy that many home owners love installing them. Open several windows in your home; opening windows on the lowest level keeps ventilation on both the lower and upper levels, but sometimes stairways, doorways and architectural features between floors can reduce the amount of airflow. It’s critical to open windows before you operate the fan, so you don’t put stress on the fan motor or create a dangerous backdraft situation that can pull exhaust into the home from combustion appliances, like hot water heaters. Turn your attic fan on at the switch or turn the dial to the desired amount of time. If your fan has a dial, it will likely turn on when you rotate it and you won’t need to flip a switch. Turn the fan off when you’re done, or let the fan turn off on its own if you have it set to run for a certain amount of time. If your attic fan has a thermostat, set it to kick on when your attic space reaches a certain temperature.
Low Maintenance
An attic fan doesn’t require annual maintenance. According to AtticFan.com, a whole-house attic fan with oil ports that help the motor run needs to be lubricated every few years. An attic exhaust fan, designed to cool the attic space only, almost never requires maintenance. Cleaning the fan shutters that open to release hot air out of your home, and washing the fan blades, helps ensure that the fan works properly. These only need to be cleaned every few years to remove unwanted dust and grime.
Lots of Ventilation
All whole-house attic fans have specified requirements for attic ventilation to create a balance of intake and exhaust air. Make sure your attic has sufficient ventilation outlets for your fan’s highest cubic feet per minute (cfm) rating. Standard attic exhaust vents for this application include gable vents, ridge vents and roof vents. Soffit vents are intended for intake air, not exhaust.
If you are considering having an attic fan installed in your home, USA Electric is here to install it for you! We have the best experienced and knowledgeable electricians in Los Angeles not to mention the best customer service possible. We are the leading electrical contractor in Los Angeles and are here to give you an irresistible estimate. Call us today (800) 956-9737
