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.

In the spirit of helping everyone find whatever they may need as it relates to attic care, attic vent fans, or really just anything to do with the roof of your home, we have published a Gable Attic Fan Resources page.

We encourage everyone to visit the page and have a look around. Its still in the build process right now so its somewhat thin. You can help us build it into more of a resource and Suggest Links & Websites for the page!

Read the page in full – Spam sites are not tolerated and will be called out at the bottom of the page as well.

Setting the temperature on your attic fan is an important step in making it work correctly. 

Attic Fans work by pulling in cool air from the outside through roof vents and the hot air is expelled through the fan.  Using an attic fan keeps the house cool without using the air conditioner so it saves money on your electric bill.

Here are the basic steps that should be included when Setting the Temperature On Your Attic Fan:

Make sure to mount an attic fan that has a temperature control switch. The fan will turn on and off by itself since it will be regulated by setting the control to the desired temperature.

• Set the temperature on your attic fan’s control switch to between 100 and 110 by using a slot screwdriver and placing it in the regulator.  You will turn the screwdriver until it reaches the correct temperature.
• Once the temperature in your attic reaches 100 degrees, your attic fan should kick on. Its best to set the temperature higher rather than lower due to the amount of electricity an attic fan uses. You don’t want the fan to be constantly be running in the summer.
• You shouldn’t have to reset this temperature again if it is set correctly the first time.  Once the weather gets hotter you should check the attic fan to make sure it is turning on and functioning correctly.

Learn more at the places below:

•  Set the temperature correctly
• Attic-air.com
• Ask the Builder

Image from: http://www.bargello.cz/

When the time has come to install a gable attic fan, the first consideration will be to obtain a fan that will move the particular volume of air at a rate that is sufficient to ventilate the attic.

This can be done by establishing a fan rating that is based on the Cubic Feet Per Minute, or CFM of air that a fan will move. If a fan is too small for the cubic feet of area, it will not be able to move the volume of air, no matter how long it is left to run. Knowing this, one might think that installing a huge fan will eliminate the need for any calculations.

However, the question still remains with regard to how big a fan would have to be in order to be considered huge. In addition, large fans are quite expensive to purchase and install, and in some instances a large fan may require an additional electrical circuit. In light of this information, a cost conscious homeowner would be wise to take a few minutes for some basic three-way calculations.

The dimensions required to determine the CFM are the height, width, and length of the attic, along with the configuration of the roof. If the roof is peaked, this will add more volume than in a building where the roof is flat. Finally, these dimensions are not considered critical, or in some way need to be noted in feet plus inches. Rounding any dimension up to the nearest foot will be adequate for these purposes.

There are a number of fan calculation tables on line and all that is necessary in order to establish the correct CFM is to enter the dimensions of the attic. With this calculated solution in hand, one can begin to shop for a fan, compare costs and consider the installation.

Image from: http://www.homedepot.com/

If your house has an attic, a gable attic fan is a wise investment. Regardless of what climate you live in, a gable attic fan system offers many benefits. If you live in an area with hot summers, the temperature in your attic can easily reach over 140degrees. Not only can this damage the structural wood, but your air conditioning system will be working overtime trying to cool the hot air. If you live in a wet climate, the humidity in your attic can lead to wood rot and mold. Even in winter your attic benefits from having proper ventilation. Unchecked moisture can freeze causing all sorts of insulation and wood warping issues.

While the benefits in comfort and expense are obvious, it should be noted gable attic fans are slightly more difficult to install than floor mounted exhaust fans. Since gable attic fans are mounted to the attic wall, you will need some carpentry skills to cut an opening for the second set of louvers. But unlike a floor mounted exhaust fan, these fans are much quieter because they are far away from your interior spaces. Another benefit is they work more efficiently. The louvers are designed to fit the fan perfectly in order to create maximum air flow. With the proper selection of fan sizes, your house should cool down to outside temperatures in less than five minutes.

Ideally you would want a thermostat controlled setup with automatic closing louvers. This system keeps your house comfortable with very little interaction. Set the thermostat to 100degrees and let the gable attic fans regulate your rooms and energy bill. Talk to the experts before you install a gable attic fan system for some useful installation tips. Make sure you measure the heights and widths of all the rooms in your house before you talk turkey. With this information, they can help you select the right components for the perfect system. Also, many of these attic fans have built in pull switches. They should be wired into their own circuit and if this above your skill set, please consult a qualified electrician. The money you save on power bills after installation more than makes up for the cost.

Image from: http://www.meredith.com/

Most people are aware that attics can become extremely warm in the heat of the day. In general, this is because the attic vents that are installed during construction are often not ample ventilation to keep the attic at a reasonable temperature. When the vents alone cannot re-circulate the volume of air in the attic, it’s time to consider installing an attic fan.

Attic fans are not particularly difficult to install for anyone who is familiar with hand tools, basic electrical wiring and possibly some carpentry. For the first-timer, the process of installing an attic fan begins with a few determinations, and then moves ahead to the actual installation.

The initial determination will be the size of the attic area, since this will dictate the size of the fan that will be needed to make a difference. By calculating the area in cubic feet, an air conditioning consultant or contractor can establish the size of the fan that’s needed. In situations where the attic is extremely large, it is advisable to install more than one fan and possibly additional vents. Again, a qualified consultant can provide these solutions.

Next would be determining the location of the fan. The ideal location would be in close proximity to an electrical junction box, and where suitable backing affords a secure mounting for the fan unit. Junction boxes are often located throughout the attic area, and a rafter or ceiling joist will provide a suitable backing to mount the fan.

As for operating the fan, there are two options. The first would me a manual switch that would be installed in a hallway or other area near the attic access. The second option is a thermostatically controlled fan switch that does the same job automatically.

For anyone who elects to perform the installation, a good dust mask is essential when working around insulation and in these types of areas. If the attic area has been finished with drywall or paneling, a mask is still recommended. The basic installation is not difficult and there are plenty of qualified people who will offer suggestions that are relative to a particular attic or condition. Gain as much information as needed to form a clear picture of the installation. This, along with an eager assistant will make the installation go smoothly.

If you’re considering installing an attic fan, it’s probably safe to assume you have some experience with electrical wiring and you’re familiar with basic hand tools such as pliers, screwdrivers, and possibly a cordless drill. As for any specific considerations surrounding the installation, all that’s required will be solid backing to mount the fan, and an electrical connection with a switch to turn the unit on and off.

In addition, if the fan unit comes with a conventional three-way household plug connector, an outlet can be installed at any of the electrical junction boxes that are typically found in attic areas. This will eliminate the need for a hard-wired connection. If electrical wire has to be purchased to make a connection, be sure it is at least #14, solid copper with a ground lead included. Some builders make it a point to install an electrical outlet and an overhead light with a switch in the attic. If this has been done the amount of parts and labor needed to do this part of the job may be reduced significantly.

Of course the size of the fan that is needed will have bearing on the installation. If a large fan is required, there may be concerns with lifting it into place, and these will need to be addressed. No matter the size of the fan, it’s always a good idea to have attentive helper when working in isolated or confined areas, since this will save steps as well as the time needed to complete the project. Finally, it is always a good idea to consult with knowledgeable people prior to making any purchases or starting the work. Taking some time in the beginning will ensure the project goes well and everything works when it’s finished.

Ventilation is very important in a home. One area of the home where ventilation is often overlooked is the attic. As temperatures rise outside, the temperature in an unventilated attic can rise upwards of 125 degrees which raises energy costs to cool the home. In cold conditions an unventilated attic creates moisture that will inhibit the growth of mold causing wood to rot. Uncontrolled temperatures in an attic also causes damage to the roof, which can be seen in high temperatures by curling or bulging shingles. Installing a gable attic fan will ensure that the attic will have the right amount of ventilation saving you money on energy costs and expensive roof repairs.

There are two types of fans designed for ventilating an attic. A roof ventilation fan and a gable attic fan. Installing a roof ventilation fan is a little more time consuming because it is installed through the roof and involves the removal of shingles. A gable attic fan is a much more efficient and easier installation because most homes already have a gable vent and the fan can be installed directly in front of the vent. The vents that are already present do not create enough of an air flow, but are already providing the much needed openings in the attic for air circulation. It is important to install a thermostat with the fan so that the settings can be changed from another location within the home.

Attic fans work by pulling fresh air in from the outside and circulating the air throughout the attic. This will generate the ventilation that is needed to keep the outside temperature from having a damaging effect on your home. It is important to evaluate your home to know what kind of ventilation is already there and what kind of ventilation is needed. Gable attic fans can be purchased at any home improvement store and range in price depending on the size and features that the fan has. It is well worth the cost and time spent installing an attic fan for the long term savings of energy and repair costs.

As you can see, we have just swept away the dust and started building our Gable Attic Fan website! We appreciate your patience as we continue to build the site.

Once complete – you can expect to find:

• Gable Attic Fan Reviews
• Attic Fan Installation Guides
• Gable Fan Buying Tips
• Price Comparisons of Gable Attic Fans

Check back soon!