Do Solar Attic Fans Work Well
But they re much easier to install since no wiring is needed.
Do solar attic fans work well. Whether or not an attic fan really works is a controversial subject. Within an hour after installing it the sun hit the solar panel and the fan blades started to spin. Manufacturers of attic fans as well as hvac companies will tell you otherwise. To determine the number of cubic feet per minute needed for a power vent fan multiply the number of square feet in your attic by 0 7.
Solar powered attic vent fans usually don t move as many cubic feet of air per minute cfm as hardwired fans. Energy professionals will tell you that they do more harm than good. The downside of attic ventilation fans. I installed a solar powered attic fan last year to see how well it would work.
For the attic fans to work at peak efficiency they need to be on a south facing roof slope if you live in the northern hemisphere. Even if you install it yourself and take the tax credit it could still take you 15 years or. The added heat makes your air conditioner work harder and means higher utility bills. Natural light solar attic fans are manufactured using high impact photovoltaic solar panels to power the fan for free all during the day.
Last week we had some warm weather for the first time this year. Keep your attic cooler in summer in warmer climates like florida the heat buildup in your attic not only radiates to the living spaces below but can also damage your roof insulation and structural integrity of your home. When is the best time to install the fan. The installation went like clockwork.
Hot attics and why traditional exhaust fans don t work well enough to cool them off. Depending on what your utility charges that s about 40 per year. The units are fully operation right out of the box and install in less than an hour. A very hot problem.
Solar attic fans provide a number of benefits for you and your home. Here is some information so you can decide whether an attic fan is right for your home. Good insulation reduces fan effectiveness. Natural light solar attic fans are available in 4 model sizes to accommodate any attic space 12 24 36 or 60 watts.
Cloud cover dust and other obstructions are essential to review before you commit to this technology as well. With the summer season upon us now is a good time to review an uncomfortable topic. Before considering solar attic fans you will want to think about how much direct sunlight your solar panel will receive each day. Danny s tests of solar attic fans showed that in florida where there s abundant solar energy yearly savings from installing two fans in a house with just over 1 000 square feet of air conditioned floor area amounted to only 460 kwh.
However the utility of attic ventilation fans is actually quite a controversial topic. I had decided to do the work early in the morning while it was cool on the roof.