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. And we certainly have some heat and humidity around here!
You can expect your attic fan to last between 10 - 15 years before needing its motor replaced.
Be attentive to any strange sounds, such as grinding, screeching, or rattling coming from your roof attic fan. These could indicate mechanical problems.
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.
In most cases, attic fans need to be maintained once every few years to ensure that the parts are lubricated. Cleaning the attic fan is easy, too – all your need to do is wash the fan blades every few years.
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.
Attic fans ventilate and exhaust your attic only and are used primarily during the day, but they work well in the evening and night as well. Attic fans pull air from the outside through existing vents in the attic.
If you have a solar or electric attic fan, it's best to hire a licensed electrician to replace it.
However, running them constantly may have a negative impact on your electricity bill. Installing an attic fan can help keep your home cooler and energy efficient. If your home is naturally cooler, you may not need to use your air conditioner as frequently, potentially lowering your energy costs.
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.
The care you give your exhaust fans and other rooftop equipment has a huge impact on their lifespan. Without proper maintenance and recognition that something is wrong, an expensive rooftop exhaust fan may only last five years or less.
An attic fan that won't turn on is usually an electrical problem, but it can also be an issue with the fan motor or the thermostat. First, check the circuit breaker that controls the attic 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.
You can test to determine whether the attic fan will turn on at the desired temperature setting, by temporarily setting the attic fan to a lower temperature. At this lower setting, the fan should run during a cooler day. Make sure to reset the fan back to 90°F after completing the test.
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.
An attic fan can help cool down the living space if the attic is not insulated. A hot attic radiates heat through the ceiling, much like the heat of a coffee mug on a hand holding it. An attic fan lowers the heat in the house by reducing the attic's temperature; it never moves any air within the home.
As a rule of thumb, the quickest and fastest calculation is the 1/300 rule or one square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic floor space.
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.
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.
Attic fans play an integral role in your home's ventilation system by improving airflow and helping regulate humidity levels. Depending on the house, the climate, and other factors, attic fans are a cost-effective way to improve your home's energy efficiency and make every room a little cozier.
Attic Power Ventilators' Energy Consumption
In fact, the Home Power article states that a “typical 250-watt fan would use 180 kWh per month if run continuously.” The entire home, however, only uses about 950 kWh per month, so the ventilation system can encompass a significant amount of energy consumption.
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.
During the summer heat, you'll notice that running your attic fan will keep the rest of your home more comfortable. If you've ever been up in your attic during a hot summer day without your attic fan running, you'll know that attics can become extremely hot because they trap heat.