Solar Powered Attic Fans – Good for Your Home and Wallet

With summer just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about the things you need to do to get your home ready for the hot weather. Primary among these is getting your air conditioning units serviced and ready for use. This is important because it is the basis for trouble-free functioning and it also helps inslightly reducing the high cost of keeping the home cool by optimizing operational efficiency.

The Cost of Using Air conditioning

There is no set formula for determining how much it costs to run air conditioners. Several variables affect the cost and these include:

• Unit capacity

• Price of electricity in your area

• SEER rating (energy efficiency)

• Hours of usage

• Condition of the home

That being said, research estimates that the average household in this country spends over $2,000 on energy bills. That is a significant chunk out of the average annual income of $60,000. Anything that can reduce the utility bills is always welcome.

Cutting Costs Without Cutting Cooling

One tried and proven method of cooling a home with only minimal (or even no) air conditioning isby installing an attic fan. As the name implies, attic fans are installed at the top of the house. Since the heat rises, the attic is the warmest place in the house. An attic fan will pull out the stale warm air that has collected in the attic. This will cause a slight drop in the interior air pressure which will enable the cool fresh outside air to be drawn inside through open windows. 

In some cases, using an attic fan may almost eliminate the need for air conditioning. Even if air conditioning is required, the reduced level of interior heat because of the attic fan will reduce the air conditioning load and by doing this, will reduce the power consumption. In other words, the house will be cool and comfortable, but the utility bill will be low.

Also Read: Benefits of Solar Attic Fans

Good for the Home

Although the cost-effective cooling and ventilation that attic fans offer is the main attraction, there are benefits to the home itself. In winter, attic fans will offer the following benefits:

• They will remove excess humidity from showers, humidifiers and dishwashers.

• They will prevent leaks and structural decay that is triggered by ice buildup on the roof.

• They will avoid damage caused to insulation and framing materials by moisture accumulation.

• They will fight the weakening of internal structures caused by mold and fungus growth.

You have only one home and the way an attic fan helps safeguard it from winter damage may be as important a reason to install one as the cooling benefit.

Which Attic Fan?

There are 2 aspects to this question. The first is regarding the brand. Since it is for your home, the obvious answer is to go in for the best solar powered attic fan – one that will work efficiently and be trouble-free for years. The second aspect is the size of the fan. Attic fans are not a one-size-fits-all product. This is where contacting the dealer of the brand leader is a huge advantage. Not only are there various models available to suit different types and sizes of houses, but you can also ask for a free consultation. Experts will evaluate your cooling and ventilation needs and advise you on the model that is right for your home. You can have all your questions about the fan answered, including your eligibility for a federal tax credit.