One of the most often asked questions we used to get about attic fans, was whether or not they were really helpful during the summer months.

In other words…

  • If I add an Attic Fan, will my AC costs go down?
  • Will having an attic fan change the size of the air conditioner I need?
  • Won’t an Attic fan just draw the cooler air out of my home and into the attic?
  • Should I tell my HVAC Contractor I have an Attic Fan?

These are all great questions… so we wanted to answer them all at once!

If I add an Attic Fan, will my AC Costs go Down?

There is no definitive answer to this question… and while some well respected places say yes, others say no, and even others leave it up to you to decide! So, in a nutshell, it depends on who you trust most! Its our opinion at the Gable Attic Fan site that yes, along with proper insulation and sealing of your envelope, an attic fan will reduce the temp in your attic, thus allowing your air conditioner to work not quite as hard!

Will an Attic Fan Change the Size of the Air Conditioner I Need?

Not likely! Even though the attic ventilation and insulation DOES come into play on your HVAC load calculation, its not likely going to be enough to change the size.

Won’t an Attic Fan just Draw the Cooler Air out of my Home and Into the Attic?

If your home is sealed properly, that should NOT happen! If however you have never sealed your plugs, switches and around your supply vents, it most definitely can occur! The easiest way to tell is to turn OFF the air conditioner system, and go around each of the plugs and wall outlets with a smoke candle, to see if the smoke is drawn in. If so, seal them!

Should I tell my HVAC Contractor I have an Attic Fan?

If you are in the process of getting replacement HVAC Prices, make sure you tell your contractor that you have an attic fan installed! When they begin doing their load calculations, they will take it into consideration.

Filed under: Gable Fan Guides

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