Are Attic Ventilation Fans Good Idea

The downside of attic ventilation fans.

Are attic ventilation fans good idea.

Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans. Attic fans perform this ventilation by pushing hot air out into the environment while also pulling fresh cool air into the attic. Best ventilation is open soffit venting to a open vented ridge vent. However the utility of attic ventilation fans is actually quite a controversial topic.

I don t know why so many people are so defensive about power attic ventilators but here are a few of the things they ve said to me in the comments. And since the roof must be penetrated for some attic fan installations there is concern about that it may lead to water damage. But asking if i could use a roof mounted attic power vent fan. I can get a roof mounted power attic vent fan that is 1400 1600 cfm.

With an attic fan you can cool the attic to the same temperature as it is outside greatly reducing the house from heating as quickly. Ridge vent must me installed per the manufactures instructions. I was not asking about whole house fans. Let s discuss the primary concern homeowners have about attic fan installation.

One static vent style is the turbine vent which uses wind to power its enclosed fan all it takes is a light breeze to rotate the blades and suck heat out of the attic view example on the home. 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. More than 50 of the attic fans i see do not work and have current still live to the motor. Buy the way my attic area is about 750 800 sf.

And get the same effect as a whfan like my fathers house. In short are attic fans good or bad. Three years ago i wrote an article titled don t let your attic suck power attic ventilators are a bad idea nearly a hundred thousand page views and 93 comments later it s still generating lots of heat. Good insulation reduces fan effectiveness.

Attic ventilation fans whether hard wired or powered by their own solar panels seem like a low cost and effective way to help keep your house cool. Many homeowners hear about attic fans installed by friends and neighbors and want to know if an attic fan is a good idea or just a waste of money. Quietcool attic fans work almost everywhere almost anytime. During the summer an attic can be 40 to 50 hotter than the outside temperature which in turn heats up the house very quickly.