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 15 minutes.
Leave attic fan off in summer.
Because of the attic s location it is always a hotter part of the house.
In a home without an attic fan the attic area tends to become a bubble of pressurized heat that will find any ways to get out.
I recently bought a house that has an attic fan on a thermostat that seems to run whenever the outside temperature gets above about 70.
As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in.
The whole house fan is installed inside the attic between the living space and ceiling.
Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed.
It helps to cool your home temperatures and the attic by approximately 30 degrees.
During the summer there is always a benefit to a cooler attic.
There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months.
The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously.
The attic fan consumes much more electricity than any possible saving from reduced air conditioner run time.
With an attic fan that switches on appropriately when the attic reaches a specific degree somewhere between 105 120 degrees fahrenheit it serves to push the hot air out of the house and to help cool your home the upstairs.
The attic has about 2 3 of blown in cellulose is pitched i don t know the pitch but it s about average for a typical suburban house and has a gable vent on each end l shaped house.
When your fan is set to auto moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.
Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans.
The home s orientation to the sun location of shade trees and quality of windows insulation and attic ventilation are just a few factors that can influence your indoor air temperature.
Great question and very timely for the hot summer months.
That s why the energy required to run an attic fan is wasted.
Most commonly that means traveling down into your home where it can impede the air conditioner s already challenging job.
Attic fans are designed and installed to switch on via a thermometer when the temperature in a house reaches a certain point.
Operation operating an attic fan is simple.
Ventilation fans or powered attic ventilators are designed to cool the attic pushing out the hot attic air and rushing in a flow of cool outside air.
Keeping your fan on auto is the most energy efficient option.
Whole house fans work on the principle of removing the hot and humid air out of the house.
