Beat the Heat Part 2

Attic and Whole House Fans

In Part 2 of our Beat the Heat series, we will share information on how attic fans and whole house fans can keep your house cool and reduce your energy costs.

Attic Fan: Ever wonder just how hot it can get in your attic?  During
the hottest summer days, it can reach 150 degrees. If you own a multi-level home, you know that it’s hard to cool the upstairs, and your air-conditioning / electric bills are high. Your air conditioner has to work overtime because of the attic heat that backs up into your rooms. Removing the hot attic air allows your air conditioner to work only at cooling your home, keeping your energy costs down. But don’t misunderstand – an attic fan is good for both single
and multi-level homes.

This waterproof fan is placed on your roof where all the heat collects.  It works by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents and pushing hot air to the outside. It contains a thermostat that turns off and on automatically. The key is to be sure that your attic doesn’t have any blocked vents and is well-sealed from the rest of the house.  Otherwise, the attic fan will draw cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the attic, increasing your summer utility bill.

Whole House Fan: If you live in a temperate climate, a whole house fan will cool your house nicely, and you can reserve your air conditioner for the hottest hours.  This fan is often confused with the attic fan. The difference is that the whole house fan works as an exhaust system by pulling cool air in through open windows to cool your home, forcing the hot air into the attic space and out your attic vents, simultaneously cooling your attic. It is best to run it in the mornings or evenings, when the outside air is the coolest and freshest.

A whole house fan is typically installed in your attic between your ceiling and your living space (there is also a ducted model).  It can lower the temperature in your home significantly and quickly, and is much less expensive to operate than air conditioning.  Noise is a common complaint with a whole house fan, so opt for a newer model.  Besides being smaller and quieter than older fans, they can be environmentally friendly and energy efficient additions to home cooling systems.

Either or both of these fans will provide energy efficiency while allowing you and your family to be cool and comfortable all summer.

Did you miss Part 1 of ‘Beat the Heat?’ If so, click here to read it!