Did you know that your attic can overheat? As heat naturally rises, the combination of poor insulation, a hot rooftop, and a poor or nonexistent ventilation system can spell trouble with high utility bills and increased fire hazards, not to mention the risk of damaging stored items. Living in a humid location also means a higher threat of damage from excess moisture.
Keeping your attic and home properly ventilated to maintain energy efficiency is challenging – with so many solutions available, how do you choose the right one for you, your family, and your house?
Installing an attic-specific ventilation fan is one such answer, and this comprehensive Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fan Buying Guide will provide more information to help you choose the option that best fits your needs.
- What are Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fans?
- Key Factors to Consider
- Installing and Maintaining Fans
- Top Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fan Brands
- FAQs About Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fans
What are Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fans?
- Roof Fan: Also known as a roof ventilator, a roof fan is installed over a roof vent hole near the top of the roof to expel hot air from the attic and help regulate air circulation and temperature. It can be controlled by a thermostat or dehumidistat.
- Attic Fan: An attic fan is gable mounted to draw hot air out of your attic and includes either an adjustable thermostat or an AC/DC inverter to control when and how often the fan runs. By working with other attic ventilation components, they establish a well-balanced airflow system to remove hot, stagnant air and replace it with fresh air from the outside. For more information, check out Attic Fans: What Are They and How Do They Work?
- Whole House Fan: Installed in the attic, a whole house fan is most effective when the outside temperature is lower than the inside temperature of your attic or home. An integrated Wi-Fi control, electric, or manual controllers turns the fan on to draw hot air from your house up and into the attic to release outside passively over time. Since the air is being pulled out of your living spaces, open a window to let cool, fresh outside air into your home. These fans are a great supplement to air conditioners, as they use less electricity while effectively removing hot air from the house.
Five Factors About Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fans to Consider
- Solar Power Capabilities: With a solar roof fan, also known as a PV fan or solar attic fan, you can decrease utility bills and your home's carbon footprint even more. This cost-effective option supports your HVAC system by collecting energy from the sun with a photovoltaic panel.
- Smaller Areas: A gable attic fan works best in compact and small areas, especially in air-tight attics, to keep humidity and heat from increasing in your attic.
- Actual Usage: Because a household fan works best when the outside temperature is lower, it is typically most effective during one or two seasons each year. If you live in an area with noticeable temperature changes throughout the year, whole-home fans may be a great addition.
- Passive Operation: While a whole house fan pulls hot air into the attic, it does not actively push that air outside and out of your house. Instead, the air escapes through various openings in the attic over time.
- Keep Windows Open: Not only do open windows bring in fresh outside air for you and your family to breathe, but keeping them open while running a whole house fan prevents a strong and concentrated suction from occurring in one location.
Installing and Maintaining Fans
Installing a fan into your attic is a tricky process - we recommend a professional to ensure safe and correct installation in the best placement, thereby maximizing energy efficiency.
While you should consult your fan's owner's manual for more details, annual maintenance is generally unnecessary for attic, roof, and whole house fans. A licensed professional should inspect and service the fan every couple of years, but in between visits, you can clean the fan of accumulated dust.
Top Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fan Brands
AC Infinity
AC Infinity prioritizes innovative systems for a variety of applications, including HVAC and agricultural, to supply practical solutions for commercial and residential spaces. The CLOUDWAY series, including the CLOUDWAY T10 Whole House Fan and CLOUDWAY T12 Whole House Fan, includes a temperature and humidity controller for ease of use. The T10 and T12 have Wi-Fi integrated controls for fan speeds and real-time monitoring, all while delivering 1,201 CFM and 1,604 CFM airflows, respectively.
Fantech
A well-known name in the ventilation industry for residential and commercial systems, Fantech prioritizes energy efficiency for sustainable and reliable products. The Fantech RE Series Roof Mount Centrifugal Duct Fan is available in multiple sizes and in a curb or flat design to fit on the exterior of the building. It is speed-controllable and includes built-in thermal overload protection and a five-year warranty for peace of mind.
iLIVING
With ventilation solutions for residential and commercial applications, iLIVING fans improve air circulation with their roof, attic, and whole house fans. The iLIVING ILG8SF301A Hybrid Smart Thermostat Solar Roof Attic Exhaust Fan helps cut energy costs with its IP68-rated waterproof solar panel, delivering 1,750 CFM to spaces up to 2,000 square feet. It also includes an AC/DC power adapter to support uninterrupted operation.
S&P
The user-friendly S&P products are built to withstand daily use to remove stale air and humidity to improve air quality. The sturdy, low-profile design of the S&P LPD0-1AS Centrifugal Roof Sidewall Exhaust Fan is an aluminum construction for weather protection and functionality in conditions up to 140 degrees F. It is installed on the roof or a wall to provide up to 420 CFM in high static pressure applications.
TPI
With a reliable TPI whole house attic fan, you can rest assured that a powerful airflow flows through your residence or commercial space to push out hot indoor air and bring in cooler outdoor air to reduce AC costs and consumption. The TPI BD302WHS Heavy Duty Belt Drive Whole House Fan is a 30-inch, two-speed fan installed in an attic ceiling that helps temper the air in your facility.
Triangle Engineering
Triangle Engineering fans are built to withstand daily use for commercial and residential applications. From cooling entire homes to venting attics, these user-friendly and powerful solutions deliver reliable performance. The Triangle Engineering Comfort Aide 1/4 HP Whole House Fan features quiet operation and energy-efficient performance for spaces up to 1,000 square feet with a two-speed motor.
FAQs About Roof, Attic, and Whole House Fans
Is it okay to run a whole house fan all the time?
You should only run the whole house fan when it's cooler outside than inside your home. When you do, make sure to open windows to let the outside air in and to prevent a strong suction from forming.
Can you use a whole house fan and an attic fan together?
Yes, by using a whole house fan and an attic fan together, you can have a more effective way of removing hot air from your home. As the whole house fan draws hot air into the attic, the attic fan actively pushes it outside faster than just using the whole house fan alone.
How long does it take a whole house fan to cool an attic?
Because a whole house fan does not actively remove hot air from an attic, the air may take a while to cool down over time. Pairing an attic or roof fan will help expedite this process and keep your attic healthy.
Does a whole house fan use a lot of electricity?
A whole house fan can reduce up to 50 to 90 percent of cooling costs compared to only using an air conditioning system, saving you money on monthly energy bills.
Should I run my whole house fan in the summer?
A whole house fan is effective only when the outside temperature is lower than the temperature inside your home. Depending on your location, summer temperatures can reach and exceed 100 degrees F, so you will probably have your AC running to stay comfortable. However, turning your whole house fan on for around an hour at night when the temperature drops can help cool your home down while you sleep.
Do I need an Attic, Roof, or Whole House Fan?
When used properly, a whole house fan, roof fan, or attic fan can help you save on monthly electric bills. Maintaining the humidity and temperature of your home – and attic – keeps your family comfortable and safe.
Are you still trying to figure out the best house fan for you? Call our team of product experts at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help you make your home or business comfortable and healthy.
