What Is an Attic Fan and What Does an Attic Fan Do

Do you want to maintain a cool and comfortable home during the hot summer months? If so, an attic fan might be the solution you’ve been looking for.

While some homeowners may overlook the importance of attic ventilation, the truth is that the temperature in your attic can significantly impact the overall temperature of your home.

When sun rays fall on your roof, it absorbs the heat and radiates it down to your attic. This is why attics are always the hottest spots in most homes.

You will notice that during the summer in a regular 80-degree warm afternoon, your attic can get as hot as 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

These extreme temperatures can cause damage to some home components that are located in the attic space.

Fortunately, attic fans can help make a huge difference in terms of the heat effect and the energy costs involved in reducing the heat.

In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of attic fans and how they can improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.

What Is An Attic Fan?

Attic fans are ceiling-mounted fans designed to draw hot and humid air out of your attic, providing much-needed ventilation.

They work in conjunction with soffit vents installed in the eaves, allowing fresh outside air to replace the stagnant, hot air in your attic.

By expelling the hot air, attic fans help cool down your attic space, which in turn lowers the temperature throughout your home.

Attic fans are great supplements for a home’s passive venting systems.

They help to increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system, and they also help improve the ventilation in an attic.

What Does An Attic Fan Do?

One of the primary benefits of attic fans is their ability to increase energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.

Attic fans consume only a fraction of the electricity compared to air conditioning systems, which means lower monthly energy bills.

By removing hot air from your attic, the overall temperature of your home is reduced, resulting in less reliance on air conditioning.

This decreased demand for cooling can lead to significant cost savings in the long run.

Fans help to get rid of the excessively hot air from inside the attic by drawing in cool air from the outside.

The result is a more comfortable home environment, especially during scorching summer days.

Fans also help reduce humidity levels, mitigating the risk of mold growth and preserving the lifespan of your roofing materials.

So even if your roof has ridge vents, soffit vents, or some other form of built-in ventilation, it is still advisable to install a fan.

Attic fans are the best ways to drive hot, muggy air away from the attic.

Moreover, some work with solar power and don’t need additional wiring. This means you won’t incur any extra electricity costs from using them.

In summary, attic fans can help:

• Reduce the temperature in your upper-floor rooms by 10 degrees
• Prolong the lifespan of your roofing materials and other major home components
• Save up on electricity costs. They can reduce your home air-conditioning costs by 30%

What Types Of Attic Fans Are There?

Different types of attic fans can help improve the ventilation in your home’s attic. You will need to carefully consider your needs and preferences when you want to get one.

Note that getting the right one that works best for you can significantly help reduce your energy consumption.

Traditional Attic Fans

This is the most common form of attic fan found in many American homes. It offers strong attic ventilation that allows a lot of air to flow through the vents.

These traditional attic fans always feature a thermostat and can run at a single speed with a maximum airflow capacity of 2,000 cubic feet per minute.

Since they are the most affordable options, they are also the most common type of attic fan. Fortunately, their affordable pricing makes them more efficient.

They can adequately help reduce the cost of your AC unit’s energy.

Smart Attic Fans

For those seeking advanced features and control options, smart attic fans are a great choice.

These fans come with integrated thermostats and/or humidistats, allowing for precise regulation of temperature and humidity in the attic.

Smart fans can automatically adjust their speed and operation based on attic conditions, optimizing energy efficiency and ventilation.

This helps to improve energy efficiency when the levels are high.

Smart fans are capable of keeping attics from becoming extremely hot.

These fans provide the most recent form of advancements in attic ventilation. What makes them more desirable is that they achieve their purpose in a sophisticated fashion.

For instance, smart attics usually feature smartphone apps that help you control and regulate them. They enable you to check the state of your attic and adjust the fan’s settings.

Solar Attic Fan

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly and cost-effective option, solar-powered fans are worth considering.

Powered by solar energy, these fans operate without consuming electricity from the grid. Solar fans help maintain a cool attic by expelling hot air and drawing in cooler outside air.

Some solar fans come with an AC/DC inverter which enables you to use solar power during the day and grid power at night to run the fan.

At Green Attic, we understand the importance of sustainable solutions.

That’s why we offer solar-powered attic fans that harness the natural energy of the sun.

Our solar fans provide powered ventilation, keeping your home cool during the hot summer months while reducing your carbon footprint.

Solar fans are fans if you want to adequately ventilate your attic without raising your electricity costs.

What Size Attic Fan Do I Need?

Choosing the right size attic fan is crucial for effective ventilation. The size you need depends primarily on the square footage of your attic space.

As a general rule, you should aim for a fan that can change the air in your attic 10 to 12 times per hour.

To calculate this, measure your attic's square footage and multiply it by 0.7. This gives you the cubic feet per minute (CFM) rating you should look for in an attic fan.

For example, if your attic is 1,000 square feet, you'd need a fan with a CFM rating of about 700. Remember, it's better to slightly oversize than undersize your fan.

A fan that's too small won't effectively cool your attic, while a larger fan will ensure proper ventilation even on the hottest days.

When in doubt, consult with a professional to determine the best size for your specific home.

Attic Fan Installation Cost?

How to Install an Attic Fan?

Installing an attic fan can be a DIY project for those comfortable with basic home improvement tasks. However, it's crucial to follow the steps carefully to ensure proper installation and avoid damaging your roof or attic structure.

If you're not confident in your abilities, it's always best to consult a professional. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

Where To Install The Attic Fan?

You must first choose where you want to install the fan. Ideally, placing it around two feet below the roof crest is better.

Consider positioning the fan in the horizontal plane, so it faces the roof’s center. The ventilation will favor just that side if you install the fan towards one side.

You should also try to keep the fan away from any passive vents.

Installing an attic fan immediately next to a passive vent will cause it to draw in air from the passive vent, preventing hot attic air from easily getting out.

Solar Attic Fan Installation

When it comes to attic ventilation, solar attic fans offer a superior solution compared to traditional electric fans.

They harness the power of the sun, providing efficient cooling precisely when it's needed most – during sunny, hot days.

Not only do solar fans reduce your carbon footprint, but they also cut down on energy costs, making them a smart investment for eco-conscious and budget-minded homeowners alike.

If you're considering an attic fan, here's why our solar option should be at the top of your list:

Installation is a breeze, as our solar fan requires no electrical wiring, expensive electricians, or city permits.

It can be easily placed wherever you need improved circulation, whether it's your attic, loft, workshop, storage shed, garage, or even barn. 

Additionally, our solar fan offers an optional electrical backup that can be connected to your existing power supply, ensuring continuous ventilation even on overcast days when solar energy may be limited.

Our smart fans are equipped with advanced features such as integrated thermostats and humidistats.

This intelligent technology allows the fan to automatically adjust its operation based on the temperature and humidity levels in your attic. 

By optimizing ventilation precisely when needed, our smart fans provide efficient cooling and help maintain an ideal living space temperature.

Optimal Attic Fan Temperature for Chicago

For Chicago homes, set your attic fan to activate between 85 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

This range accounts for Chicago's variable climate, ensuring efficient operation during hot summers without wasting energy on milder days.

The goal is to maintain an attic temperature close to Chicago's outside air, preventing heat buildup during sweltering Midwest summers.

What Temp Should Attic Fan Be Set At In the Summer?

During Chicago's peak summer heat (June-August), consider a lower setting of 85-90 degrees Fahrenheit.

This helps combat humidity and prevents heat accumulation on hot Chicago afternoons.

Experiment to find the ideal setting for your home, adjusting as needed from early summer through August's dog days.

Remember, a well-regulated attic temperature can significantly reduce cooling costs during Chicago's energy-intensive summer mont

Who to Contact for Attic Fan Installation?

While DIY installation is possible for some homeowners, professional installation ensures optimal performance and longevity of your attic fan. Here's why you should consider expert help:

• Proper installation is crucial for maintaining your roof's integrity and your home's ventilation.
• Professionals like roofers or specialized HVAC technicians have the expertise to install and repair attic fans correctly.
• Expert installation can prevent common issues and maximize energy efficiency.

At Green Attic, we specialize in solar attic fan solutions that offer numerous benefits:

• Year-round comfort with cool, clean, and fresh air circulation
• Reduced energy costs by harnessing solar power
• Environmentally friendly operation that contributes to a greener future
• Protection for your home investment by maintaining proper attic ventilation

Don't compromise on your home's comfort and efficiency. Contact Green Attic today for a consultation on our solar-powered attic fan solutions. Our team of experts is ready to help you choose the right fan for your home and ensure a professional installation that will serve you for years to come.

Take the first step towards a cooler, more energy-efficient home. Call Green Attic now and experience the difference a properly installed solar attic fan can make!