Attic Fan Basics

Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.

Attic fan basics.

The attic fan is normally mounted up on the roof of the home toward the back about two feet down from the peak. When working with electricity always. A powered attic ventilator or attic fan is a ventilation fan which regulates the heat level of a building s attic by exhausting hot air. To lower attic temperatures and to remove excess moisture.

It goes on and off automatically with a thermostat so it only runs when it is beneficial. Test the wires to ensure the power is off. Roof mounted attic fans require a vent hold near the top of the roof where the fan can sit over the vent on a plastic or metal base. Most solar attic fans are surface mounted meaning that they are installed directly through the roof surface where they are most efficient.

Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. Attic ventilation should be very simple. Installing an attic fan step 1. As the attic space warms up from the irradiation of the sun the ventilation port opens wider to allow the solar fan to move more warm stale air out of the attic area.

Lowering the temperature in the attic can help reduce air conditioning energy costs and roof deck temperature optimize the service life of a roof covering and minimize ice damming. An attic fan can be gable mounted or roof mounted. The attic fan has a flashing that fits in with the shingles and is water proof. Installing the shutter center the front of the automatic shutter over the vent hole make sure the shutter s.

We like master flow s model for its easy installation and efficiency. Designed for attic spaces up to 2 088 square feet master flow s unit can remove a large volume of hot air at a rate of 1 500 cfm. A thermostat is used to automatically turn the fan off and on while sometimes a manual switch is used. You also want a fan that s appropriate for the square footage of your attic space by checking the manufacturer s specifications.

You have holes in the bottom of your attic usually soffit vents and holes in the top of your attic ridge vent wind turbines static vents or power fans. It s just like a chimney in your home. Installing the shutter if the existing gable vent is smaller than the diameter of the fan you ll need to remove. Ideally air comes in the bottom and out the top.

Turn off electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker box that controls the power to the fixture or the room you re working on. How to test an attic fan motor and thermostat. A fan that won t run is often caused by a failed motor or a bad thermostat.