Are Attic Ventilation Fans Good Idea

Ventilation fans or powered attic ventilators are designed to cool the attic pushing out the hot attic air and rushing in a flow of cool outside air.

Are attic ventilation fans good idea.

Ridge vent must me installed per the manufactures instructions. And since the roof must be penetrated for some attic fan installations there is concern about that it may lead to water damage. During the summer an attic can be 40 to 50 hotter than the outside temperature which in turn heats up the house very quickly. Attic ventilation fans whether hard wired or powered by their own solar panels seem like a low cost and effective way to help keep your house cool.

But asking if i could use a roof mounted attic power vent fan. One of the leading causes for fires. In short are attic fans good or bad. More than 50 of the attic fans i see do not work and have current still live to the motor.

Three years ago i wrote an article titled don t let your attic suck power attic ventilators are a bad idea nearly a hundred thousand page views and 93 comments later it s still generating lots of heat. Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans. The downside of attic ventilation fans. However the utility of attic ventilation fans is actually quite a controversial topic.

Let s discuss the primary concern homeowners have about attic fan installation. With an attic fan you can cool the attic to the same temperature as it is outside greatly reducing the house from heating as quickly. Best ventilation is open soffit venting to a open vented ridge vent. I don t know why so many people are so defensive about power attic ventilators but here are a few of the things they ve said to me in the comments.

Many homeowners hear about attic fans installed by friends and neighbors and want to know if an attic fan is a good idea or just a waste of money. And get the same effect as a whfan like my fathers house. Good insulation reduces fan effectiveness. The result is a cooler attic space with plenty of air exchange.

I can get a roof mounted power attic vent fan that is 1400 1600 cfm. Buy the way my attic area is about 750 800 sf. I was not asking about whole house fans. Quietcool attic fans work almost everywhere almost anytime.