Solar Attic Fans
Solar attic fans help keep environmentally-conscious
people cool on hot summer days. With all the talk now days of
going green, one of the easiest things we can do to make a move
to solar power is to install a solar powered attic fan.
Solar attic fans conserve energy, reduce utility bills and are
easy to install. Solar attic fans work by forcing outside air
through the attic and out the vent to cool the space.
Attics in homes are usually dry, hot, musty places. Many people
choose to have a fan running to make trips up to the attic a bit
more comfortable. Attic fans will also reduce the heat in the rest
of the house. Solar attic fans can do this without drawing any electricity
from the wall sockets. A solar attic fan works solely with the sun's
energy to operate.
Solar attic fans work just as well, if not better, than electrically
run fans and has more benefits. Because the solar attic fan uses
the sun's energy, the fan will start slowly in the morning, hit
its peak during the afternoon, and slow down again in the evening.
Because this corresponds with when the attic and house will be the
hottest, solar attic fans are working at their peaks during this
time.
The use of an electric attic fan can increase electricity bills
as much as $10 or $20 per month by drawing current from the wall.
By installing and using solar powered attic fans, you will save
money. Not only this, but you will also save a portion of the cost
for providing the house with air conditioning as this bill will
also be reduced.
Most solar attic fans are very easy to install. Usually, they come
as one unit with no assembly required and there are no electrical
wires with which to be concerned. For many models of solar attic
fans, a twelve-inch diameter hole needs to be cut into the roof
and the enclosed flashing that comes with the fan needs to be placed
over the hole. This will prevent leakage when it rains. Although
this is an easy procedure, for those are not comfortable doing it,
it may be better to call a professional.
When making the installation of the solar attic fan, it is important
to remember that the fan's operation depends on the sun's rays.
For this reason, it is better to have the solar attic fan facing
south to receive the full benefit. It's also important to have the
solar attic fan placed in an open area, with no overhanging trees
or limbs that will impede the sun's energy from getting to the unit.
There are some instances, however, where installing a solar powered
attic fan may not be a good choice. These include using them in
homes that have drop ceilings, open attic chases, or any other home
that would allow air from the living space be mixed with air from
the attic. This is because the attic fans pull such a powerful draft
while they are operating.
For most homes, though, solar attic fans will be a positive choice
for keeping cooler and cutting down the monthly electricity bills.
Homes may need several solar attic fans for optimal cooling, so
check with the manufacturer to find out the square footage of space
that their brand of solar attic fans will cool effectively.
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