Attic Fan

An attic fan can be a wonderful addition to your home and attic finishing project. Not only are they fantastic energy savers, but an attic fan is also a relatively easy home improvement projects for the experienced do-it-yourself homeowner. If you are someone who enjoys weekend projects, and feel confident in your knowledge of electrical work, then installing your own attic fan should be a breeze.

A fan is meant to ventilate your attic or bonus room by taking cool air from the outside and circulate it through your attic while pushing the hot air back out through the vents. As long as your attic is properly sealed, and your fan properly installed, this can result in a much more comfortable house. Your air conditioning system won’t have to work as hard and your utility bills will be much lower.

Basic science teaches us that all heat rises. Most of your home’s heat is in your attic, making it difficult to cool your surroundings efficiently. With better airflow, the heat is dispersed, creating a much cooler atmosphere in warm weather, and preventing your heat from escaping your living area in the cooler weather.

Types of Fans

Finding the right unit for your needs is simple. All of these units are cost efficient, but, depending on your attic plans, and the space available, one might be better than another. If you have ideas for a remodel in the future, you'll want to choose accordingly.

There are four basic types of attic fans. Traditional store fans are popular but aren’t very efficient. They move a good bit of air through your house, but can be very noisy and difficult to seal. As they are belt driven, traditional fans can require a good bit of maintenance.

Solar fans are a good idea if you live in an area that sees a good deal of sun. Of course, they are efficient as they require no electricity, however they can be a bit hit and miss depending on the hours of sunlight. You might find yourself putting up with stifling heat on overcast day.

Electrical fans move the most air. They can be connected to a thermostat and turn themselves on and off automatically. During the hotter months your electrical bills will spike. Even if your permitting agency doesn’t require an electrician to install your wiring and thermostat, it’s a much safer idea to hire a licensed electrician to do that work.

Wind-powered fans are a recent entry into the attic fan arena. They are another green choice and require no electricity. Turbine vents will need to be installed to allow wind access and in periods of low, or no wind, your fan will not operate efficiently. It’s not very likely that there will be much wind during peak heat hours of the day and this could leave you in stifling heat.

Do It Yourself

As a do-it-yourself project, installing the fan can be fairly simple. You’ll need access to your roof and you’ll need to take all the safety precautions involved with working in an elevated area. Never attempt to install an attic fan by yourself.

Your fan will work best in full sunlight so installing your fan on the southernmost side of your roof will facilitate that. You’ll need to cut a hole into your roof , through the sheathing and roof covering. Make sure you cut the hole between the inside rafters so that you’ll have good ventilation clearance. At this point you can slide your unit into place and secure the flashing.

Many of the big box home improvement centers have classes on installing an attic fan. It’s recommended that you attend a class or view instructional photos before attempting this project. The instructions are for basic ventilation or solar powered fans and not the electrical powered fans that may require you hire an electrical contractor depending on the codes of your municipality or permitting agency.

Finding a Professional

Installing an attic fan can be a big job if you’re not confident in your handyman skills. You may feel more comfortable hiring a contractor to do the work. You’ll want to compare rates and service and, if the work they have done is local, you may want to reference prior jobs.

Of course, you can find contractors in your area on the internet or by word of mouth. The big box home improvement centers often contract work out to local professionals. These can be an excellent resource for an installation expert.

Saving Your Money

It’s really a simple decision. If you want to move air more efficiently through your home and realize lower utility bills, an attic fan can be a wise choice. Even if you need to hire a professional contractor to install your cooling attic fan, you’ll still realize a savings in your electric bill. You’ll sleep better-and cooler-knowing you’re saving money.