FAQ

Do whole-house fans really work?

A whole house fan is effective whenever the outside temperature is lower than the indoor temperature – typically in the evenings and at night. A whole house fan is mounted in the attic drawing cool outside air through open doors and windows while forcing the hottest indoor air out the existing roof vents.

How much does it cost to put in a whole house fan?

Cost to Install a Whole House Fan

To add a whole house fan, homeowners pay between $1,250 and $1,830 on average. On the low end, you can expect to pay between $700 and $950 including labor. On the high end, the project can cost $2,000 to $2,750 including labor.

What is the purpose of a whole house fan?

The whole house fan pulls air in from open windows and exhausts it through the attic and roof. It provides good attic ventilation in addition to whole house cooling. Whole house fans should provide houses with 3 to 6 air changes per hour (varies with climate, floor plan, etc.)

How do you use a whole house fan?

Use high speed to ‘kick-start’ the cooling, and use low to run quietly through the night. Make sure at least one window is open. Opening two or more windows halfway or wider is recommended to allow the fan to do its job. For general cooling, open windows far away from the fan to provide airflow to the whole house.

Are whole-house fans worth the money?

Living in Santa Clarita where the weather is hot during the day but cooler in the evenings and at night, a whole house fan system costs somewhere between 20-70% less than an air conditioner costs, this could save you hundreds on your energy bills at the height of the summer.

Is a whole house fan cheaper than AC?

The cost of operating a whole-house fan is less expensive compared to an air conditioning unit, and can save you hundreds of dollar son utility bills. While energy consumption will vary depending on what type of unit you have and how much you use it, the whole house fan system is more efficient, use less energy, and are less expensive.

How hard is it to install a whole house fan?

It is not difficult to install a whole house fan if you have the right professional to do the job. The procedure requires cutting a hole in the attic floor and mounting the unit across the joists. There will be installation in the attic, so there are a number of safety pointers to keep in mind. Since the attic is apt to be dark, rig up a work light.

Are whole-house fans dangerous?

Safety Tips When Using a Whole House Fan. … Since it does not require extensive energy to run and it does not put dangerous toxins into the environment, as air conditioning does, it is a more cost-effective and environmentally sound option for cooling your home.

How long should you run the whole house fan?

Most whole-house fan manufacturers will list the capability of the fan to the square footage of your house. Some believe a complete change of the home’s air should be accomplished every 3 or 4 minutes. Many fans include a CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) rating.

Do house fans use a lot of electricity?

Normal household fans will have a wattage of between 25 and 75, with the lower end of that scale costing around $0.004 per hour and the highest around $0.012. At most, with the highest wattage fan, you are likely to have in your home, it would cost around $1 to run a fan for 12 hours per night for an entire week.

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