Leave Attic Fan Off In Summer

Great question and very timely for the hot summer months.

Leave attic fan off in summer.

The whole house fan is installed inside the attic between the living space and ceiling. During the summer there is always a benefit to a cooler attic. Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed. Even so you can implement a few relatively easy tips to live more comfortably amid summer temps and maybe save money in the process.

Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans. Simpler fan models generally have on off switches or dials that allow you to run the fan for a specified amount of time such as 15 minutes. As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in. It helps to cool your home temperatures and the attic by approximately 30 degrees.

In a home without an attic fan the attic area tends to become a bubble of pressurized heat that will find any ways to get out. With an attic fan that switches on appropriately when the attic reaches a specific degree somewhere between 105 120 degrees fahrenheit it serves to push the hot air out of the house and to help cool your home the upstairs. Most commonly that means traveling down into your home where it can impede the air conditioner s already challenging job. That s why the energy required to run an attic fan is wasted.

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. The house was constructed in 1958 and is 2x6 wood frame on 16 centers. The warm air escapes through the attic and to the attic vents allowing the circulation of chilly air from the windows. Keeping your fan on auto is the most energy efficient option.

Whole house fans work on the principle of removing the hot and humid air out of the house. The attic fan consumes much more electricity than any possible saving from reduced air conditioner run time. Attic fans are designed and installed to switch on via a thermometer when the temperature in a house reaches a certain point. There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months.

The home s orientation to the sun location of shade trees and quality of windows insulation and attic ventilation are just a few factors that can influence your indoor air temperature. Because of the attic s location it is always a hotter part of the house. The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously. The attic has about 2 3 of blown in cellulose is pitched i don t know the pitch but it s about average for a typical suburban house and has a gable vent on each end l shaped house.