Power Attic Ventilator

A power attic ventilator works to vent out hot air during the warmer months of the year. The attic can heat up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit if the outside temperatures reach the 90 degree mark or greater. These high temperatures inside the attic force the cooling systems to work harder to keep the rest of the home comfortable.

A power attic ventilator spews out the heat. There are vents that can intake lower temperature outside air as well. There are a few different kinds of power attic ventilator devices on the market. For starters, the ventilator will either attach to the roof, or be inserted between your gables.

There are some power attic ventilator fans that are simply plugged into a regular outlet in the attic, and work simply by turning a switch on and off. A more popular piece to include with the installation of a power attic ventilator is a thermostat. This will automatically set the power attic ventilator on and off, as needed. This will allow you to maximize money saving effects of keeping the attic cool throughout the day and night.

Averting Danger

There are two concerns when attaching power attic ventilation fans that are made of metal to your roof or gables. These concerns are lightning strikes and also encouraging the spread of fire. There are ways to prevent these dangers from becoming a reality.

It is important to look for power attic ventilator fans that will automatically shut off in case of fire. There is concern that a power ventilator that is placed in the attic will help spread the fire. Thus, there are power ventilator fans that are manufactured to automatically shut down at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

As for the concern about lightning, it is important to properly install the power attic ventilator. This includes grounding the ventilator so that it will not doubly serve as an attractive piece of metal for lighting to hit, without anywhere to ground the strike. The grounding will make sure that the lightning does not zap your entire home.

Materials and Methods

When you are purchasing a power ventilator, or fan, it is important to not become overwhelmed with the options. If you already have a power ventilator in place, then you will know whether you are going to purchase a gable or on roof setting. If you are in the process of remodeling your upstairs into a living space, you will probably want to change the location of the power fan from the gable to the roof.

The re-location of the fan will help you to gain space to put windows. Likewise, putting it on the roof can make it less intrusive on daily life. Most are made of metals, though you may find there is a difference in the material makeup of a solar fan. These are not necessarily metal. It is important to note that if you do decide to go with any kind of fan, read the instructions. If it comes with a grounding screw and line, use it.

These devices can range in price from $50 to more than a few hundred dollars. Thus, there is a built-in sense of responsibility to learn as much as possible before diving in to buy a fan. Learn what you need the device to do, and then start looking at the options that will supply the services your house needs.

Weatherizing Your Home

Whether you are just installing a new fan, or are renovating the entire upstairs region of your home, you will need to pay mind to weatherization. If you have seldom visited this easily forgotten area of your home, then it is time to start venturing upstairs. If there is no insulation, it is definitely time to get some. At the least it needs to be between the roof and your ceiling.

In particular, if you are going to live there, then you need it to be as comfortable as possible. It is also necessary to caulk wherever there are leaks to the outside. It is best left to professional insulation experts, because there are mistakes that can be made when installing insulation.

For one, many times home owners will cover up necessary holes that allow the roof to properly breathe and drain water. This can cause water to enter your home, and sit in the insulation, causing mold to form. If you do plan on doing the insulation on your own, and are having your roof re-done, then you may check with the roofer to make sure you are not going to cause issues.

A power attic ventilator makes a house more comfortable by sending hot air out of the highest points in your home. This serves to dually lower the cooling bills during the warmer months of the year. Shop around to save money on your purchase.