Before
considering how effective whole house fans are, it is important to
clear up some of the confusion that surrounds them. There are 3 main types of
ventilation fans used in homes.They are:
1.
The
most common kind of ventilation fan is the exhaust fan that is used to remove
odors from bathrooms, kitchens and other parts of a house.
2.
Attic
fans are used to blow warm air out of the
attic so that cooler air can be drawn in. Warm air rises to rest on top of cooler
air so the attic is where heat collects. By blowing warm air out, the attic is cooled
and this, in turn, reduces the temperature in the house itself.
3.
Whole
house fans are also attic mounted but are much larger and more powerful than
attic fans. Because of this, the airflow
is far greater so air from all parts of the house is sucked up into the attic
from where it is blown out. Cooler air is sucked into the home to replace the
air that has been removed and this has the effect of significantly cooling the
whole house.
The Whole House Fan Advantage
Once
the outside temperature has reached a comfortable level, usually in the morning
or evening/night, the whole house fan can get to work. Windows need to be
opened (at least 1 in each room) and the fan turned on. The warm stale air from
indoors is removed and fresh cooler air is brought indoors. Turning on the fan
is just a matter of flipping a switch. The main benefits are:
· With
a good whole house fan installed, the need for air conditioning is either
removed or reduced to a great extent.
· The
coolness is coupled with a flow of fresh air through the home which is
healthier and more energizing than the recycled air of air conditioning.
· Because
of the amount of airflow they provide,
whole house fans bring down interior temperatures faster than air conditioning
does. This is what is known as the reduction in sensible heat – the heat that you feel.
· There
is another type of heat – latent heat. This is the heat that has been absorbed by furniture, furnishings and other
items in the house. These continue to radiate heat from a considerable period
of time, which works to counter the cooling effect of air conditioning. The
airflow from a whole house fan is continually moving through the house and as
it flows over items that have retained latent heat, draws that heat out,
bringing down the latent heat quickly so that the house stays cool.
Air Conditioning or a Whole House Fan?
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