QA

Quick Answer: What Are Attic Fans For

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents (soffit and gable) and pushing hot air to the outside.

When should you use an attic fan?

An attic fan can be used to cool down your living space any time the air outside is cooler than the air in your home. An attic fan pulls air in through open windows and doors while pushing hot air out of the home through attic vents.

Does putting a fan in the attic help?

Attic fans do really work. They will help to circulate air in your attic and ventilate the space so that it stays closer to the outside temperature. Attics can reach extremely high temperatures in hot, summer months and gather an excessive amount of moisture in the winter. Attic fans will help fight these problems.

Should I leave my attic fan on?

It is only necessary to run your fan as long as it needs to replace the attic air with outside air. Running your fan any longer than this is just a waste of electricity. This is because you are pulling air outside your attic that is the same as the air you pull into the attic.

Why do people have attic fans?

Attic ventilation fans help cool air your attic by pushing out the stifling hot air from inside the attic and bringing in cool air from outside. This prevents hot air from seeping into your home and driving up the temperature in the living space, which reduces the load on your air conditioner.

Are attic fans a fire hazard?

“Most attic fans are put up there and forgotten,” says Kenneth Kent, deputy marshal of the Arlington County Fire Department. “They’re not inspected for years, and when they malfunction, they can start a fire.”Jul 19, 1994.

Are attic fans loud?

Attic fans are great machines that can bring some refreshment by blowing out hot air. Even though we all enjoy attic fans, they are mechanical devices and sometimes they can be quite noisy and annoying. In most of the cases, the noise will appear due to some parts of attic fan getting old or by being worn out.

How do I get hot air out of my attic?

Install electric ventilators and attic fans, which remove hot air from an attic. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100-110 degrees. Alternatively, install passive vents such as gable, soffit and ridge vents, which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.

Are attic fans automatic?

An attic fan is normally automatic. An adjustable thermostat, which is included, turns the fan on and off according to the temperature. If you have a humidistat installed, it turns the fan on and off as well according to the humidity.

Can I use attic fan with blown insulation?

The screening, louvers, rain covers, etc. that are a part of roof and gable end vents create resistance to air flow. Many attics have blown-in insulation. You can cover your attic fan from the top with strips of plywood that are then covered with batt fiberglass insulation.

What temp should attic be?

The ideal attic temperature should be no less than 60 degrees in the winter and no more than 10 to 20 degrees above the outdoor temperature in the summer. If your attic temperature climbs above 130 degrees, you may start running into issues with your energy bill, as well as the integrity of your roof.

What temperature should attic fan turn on?

When it comes to an attic fan’s temperature setting, it’s best to adjust it to anywhere from 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s impossible to state a single number because your attic can effortlessly soar above 95 degrees (on average).

Do attic fans run in the winter?

Your attic fan runs during winter regardless of the temperature to bring in dry outside air to replace damp attic air and prevent mold from starting in your attic. Your Jet Fan Attic Fan Humidistat should be set to 70 -75% relative humidity.

Where should attic fans be placed?

Rafter vents should be placed in your attic ceiling in between the rafters at the point where your attic ceiling meets your attic floor. Once they are in place, you can then place the batts or blankets, or blow insulation, right out to the very edge of the attic floor.

Does an attic fan reduce humidity?

Yes, attic fans will help with humidity. During the winter, moist air produced by daily activities rises to the attic and gets stuck there. During the summer, the attic can get severely hot and become extremely moist. An attic fan will reduce the workload on your air conditioner as well as help dissipate the humidity.

How many attic fans should you have?

A properly sized attic fan is very important for homeowners to get the maximum benefits. Most manufacturers recommend sizing an attic fan at 2 to 3 CFM (cubic feet of air per minute) per square foot of living space.