In most cases, attic fans need to be maintained once every few years to ensure that the parts are lubricated.
For most whole-house fans, annual maintenance isn't really much of a need. Whole-house fans that have oil ports to help the motor run will need basic lubrication every few years, but little more. An attic exhaust fan, which is designed only to cool the attic space, almost never requires any maintenance.
You can expect your attic fan to last between 10 - 15 years before needing its motor replaced.
Why are attic fans not used anymore? Due to inefficiencies in relying on existing attic vents for air intake, attic fans have lost popularity. These vents often aren't designed for this purpose, resulting in inadequate replacement air supply.
While attic fan motors are generally expected to last t10-15 years, that number does tend to go down in hotter and more humid environments.
You don't need to have your attic fun running all of the time. Having it running only when it's needed maximizes its benefits for your home's AC and overall energy efficiency.
The cost to install an attic fan is $625 on average. Installing a small, passive attic fan may cost you as little as $369, but a larger solar or dual-powered attic fan can surpass $914. Contrary to what their name might suggest, attic fans help to cool your whole house—not just the attic space.
If the evenings are cooler, you can try turning the attic cooling fan off until the morning, but if you notice your HVAC system begins to struggle to keep your home comfortable, you may want to keep running the attic fan overnight.
By removing hot air from your attic, attic fans can help reduce the workload on your air conditioner, which can lead to lower energy bills. They can also prevent ice damming during the winter months, which can cause damage to your roof and home.
Winter Air Leakage: Whole house fans can hurt you more in the winter than they help you in the summer. Older models especially can be a big source of air leakage in the attic, causing your heating bills to skyrocket as warm air escapes and cold air seeps in.
Be attentive to any strange sounds, such as grinding, screeching, or rattling coming from your roof attic fan. These could indicate mechanical problems.
Replacing a broken motor will cost about $125 for an attic fan and $50 and $100 for a whole-house model. Professional installation will run an added $80 to $100 per hour. Some pros will charge you a disposal fee to get rid of the broken fan.
A residential roofing contractor has experience with attic maintenance procedures. They can adequately install an attic fan to ensure you don't have to bear any unnecessary expenses later. They can also help you choose the right attic fan for your home and individual needs.
Installing an attic ventilation fan will help protect the integrity of your home by reducing temperatures and humidity levels in your attic space by pushing hot air out of your home while drawing cool air into your attic. A licensed electrician can ensure that all aspects of your project will be completed correctly.
Diagnosing the Problem
The fan blade turned relatively smoothly, but could certainly use a little WD40 to relieve some friction.
The Benefits of Attic Fans. By improving ventilation in your home's attic, installing an attic fan can help reduce moisture and even lower the temperature within your entire house.
The 30% Federal tax credit for solar attic fans has been extended through 2033. The Solar Powered Attic Fan is eligible for a 30% credit on the purchase price of the fan, installation and sales tax (Including installation cost). So let us help you get the money! Its an easy two step process.
The cost of operating a whole-house fan is also less expensive compared to an air conditioning unit. While energy usage will vary depending on how much you use it and what type of unit you have, in most cases it's pretty much accepted that whole house systems are less expensive and use less energy.
It is absolutely possible the ventilation system on your roof is excessive. Maybe your home is older and prior ventilation was installed by a homeowner, or incorrect vent sizes were used in an older roof layout. Too much ventilation can negatively influence the attic's and home's insulation as well.
Definitions of whole house fan vs. attic fan vary by region, causing some confusion. In a nutshell, whole house fans are designed to run after sundown, using cool night air to ventilate and cool your entire living space. Attic fans are designed to run on hot sunny days to clear super-heated air from your attic.
Attic fans range differently depending on what kind of the Attic fan you are installing, you can expect to pay between $350 to $1,000 installed.
An electrician, a handyman or an HVAC installer is able to install an attic fan as well. Any of these professionals may charge a fixed installation price or an hourly rate.
We recommend sizing your attic fan at . 5 CFM per square foot of attic space for every 2 feet of peak attic height. This formula gives a minimum of 15 complete air exchanges per hour. This means for a 1500 SQFT attic with a peak attic height of 4 feet, you will need an attic fan that moves at least 1500 CFM.
If yours stops working, it's essential to fix it as soon as possible—and in most cases, you'll need to hire a pro. Assuming that your attic fan runs on electricity (as many do), it's best to call a licensed electrician for repairs.