Attic Exhaust Fans

Roofing ventilation is an essential part of any good roofing system.  The most important function of such vents is to provide ventilation to the attic of your home, thus reducing the heat held in your attic.  By reducing the heat in your attic less energy is necessary to cool your home, cutting down on your electricity cost.

Most building codes usually require that a home have some form of attic ventilation.  It is recommended by most building codes that a residential dwelling have 1 square foot of ventilation for every 150 to 300 square feet of living space.

There are many different styles and colors of ventilation available to consumers.  Consumers can easily find a ventilation system right for their application that is color matched to their roofing materials.

Ridge Vents & Soffit Vents

Ridge vents are long narrow vents placed on the very top or ridge of the roof.  The vents are inserted flush in the surface of the roof and as stated above are usually color matched to the roofing material used.

Soffit vents are installed in the eve or overhang of the roof and are far more common then ridge vents.  Both types of ventilation serve two very important purposes for the life of your roof.  The first purpose of the ventilation is to reduce heat and moisture, which reduces mildew and rot, thus extending the life of the roof decking.

Whether you are installing a new roof or would like to add ventilation to your existing roof it is important to consult a professional roofer.  Installation of roofing ventilation can be tricky and if done improperly can cause leaks in your roofing system.

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An estimated 90 percent of North American homes have improper attic ventilation. One reason for this is that most homeowners are unaware of its importance. During the summertime, improper ventilation causes temperatures in the attic to build up beyond 160 degrees F. This very hot air eventually passes through the home’s insulation into the living area beneath it. While the homeowner may recognize that the attic is hot, they may not know just how hot it can become.

Excess heat can damage a home in a variety of ways, including damage to both exterior and interior paint. Other items that can be affected are wallpaper and exterior siding. Wood framing may warp, crack or break down. This can also result in what have been dubbed fried shingles, or the premature aging of a home’s roofing system.

When properly ventilated, there is continual airflow from the outside through the attic. The air intake is balanced between the soffits, or eaves, and the air exhaust, which is found at or near the roof’s ridge. This protects the insulation’s efficiency and helps to lower the living space temperature in the area below.

An attic with proper ventilation helps to reduce energy costs by lowering the load on a home’s air conditioning unit. The vents move the air out of the attic before it builds up, causing damage.

During winter months, moisture can increase in attics without proper ventilation. This is often caused by vapors from appliances, as well as by showering and bathing. When condensation accumulates, it can fall on attic insulation and soak the material, making it less efficient. Excess moisture accumulating in an attic can cause shingles to buckle and mildew to grow.

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recommends using a minimum of one square foot of ventilation in the attic for every 300 square feet, dividing the vent area evenly between the intake and exhaust. A roofing contractor can assist the homeowner in calculating the proper ratio, if necessary.

There are a variety of products available to ensure proper ventilation of the home’s attic. Exhaust items include rigid vents with snow guards, turbines, fans and roof louvers. There are solar-powered models, electric one and even some using dual power sources. Similar vent items are available as intake products for attics and other home areas, such as foundation vents, fans for the whole house and gable louvers. For those seeking ventilation and protection from snow for their chimneys as well, reliable roofers can help steer them in the right direction with roof caps, safety caps and other accessories.

Author writes about a variety of topics. If you would like to learn more about roofing contractors, visit http://www.gaf.com/.

Because heat becomes so intense in the attic, it is important that all homeowners have a proper attic vent fan. Although you could choose one of the top brands currently on the market, if you are interested in saving money and choosing an environmentally friendly solution, you might consider an energy efficiency product that can draw hot air from the attic but without the high cost of using a fan that runs on standard electricity.

Of course, just as an energy efficient fan would pull hot air from the attic, remove stagnant air that may have a foul odor, dry out trusses, and save money each month on utility bills, the right fan would also be beneficial during the winter months. In this case, venting would prevent moisture buildup that ultimately leads to the growth of mold and mildew. In both cases, your home would be more comfortable and a healthier place to live.

One of the best solutions would be to use a fan to vent the attic along with some type of insulator that would stop infrared heat that hot roofs emit. With this, the interior of the attic would be much cooler but by choosing alternative power, the cost to achieve the goal would be minimal. Keep in mind that within the United States, specific codes have been established specific to attic ventilation. However, because these codes are the same regardless of climate, the best option would be a ventilation system that works for everyone while saving money.

Since demand for a house attic fan that runs on alternate power is so high, most of the top manufacturers now offer their own version of an energy efficient unit. As a result, when shopping for the right exhaust system, you have a full range of products, as well as features and price structures. While this is great news, the one mistake you want to avoid is purchasing a solar powered fan that is under powered. Unfortunately, this problem is all too common. Therefore, when looking for the best ventilation system for your attic remember it would be better to purchase too much power than not enough.

You will also find that many of the newer efficiency vents also boast innovative features. A perfect example is one of the newer types of fans on the market that comes with an adjustable thermostat, optional mountain box, and external rotor with welded on blades for less flex and vibration. In addition, with the bearings being sealed, they never need attention. Then with a price of just $.02 an hour, it is easy to see why this fan has become such a popular choice.

Along with an energy efficient attic vent fan saving you tremendous money, as mentioned this option is also environmentally friendly. This means less load is being placed on electric companies, which in turn reduces stress on other things. To see all the different options for systems that run on alternate power, it would be worth the time to conduct an online research for popular manufacturers such as Hunter, as well as those that are lesser known.

Want to slash your energy bill with the installation of an attic vent fan?

Click Below To Learn More:

http://www.attic-ventfan.com

Solar fans have simplified attic ventilation. Having been in the business of ventilating attics for almost thirty years, one of the most difficult (and, in fact, impossible) situations to deal with in completed construction is heat buildup in completed rooms or finished attics with “up to the peak” cathedral ceilings. If you’re an architect, builder or homeowner considering cathedral ceilings, I have recommendations you might consider. The present theory, as reflected in most building codes, is that hot air will travel by convection from the soffit vents, through the styrofoam spacers and exit through the ridge vent.

Our experience has been that this theory does not work very well. In fact, the air below the roof can reach temperatures in excess of 150 DegF. That hot air is rapidly expanding. Unable to escape through the ridge and soffit vents quickly enough, it pushes through the porous insulation, heating up the ceiling and creating a tremendous heat gain to the living area. Very often, even a well-designed A/C system can’t keep up.

SUGGESTION: Design a small attic over the cathedral ceiling. A solar-powered roof fan will exhaust heat from the “attic”, creating a vacuum, thereby pulling in cool air from the soffits through the spacers. This creates an envelope of cool air around the living space, (If you already have some flat ceiling, just add a solar fan).   .

These heat gain forces are the same in a regular stand-up attic. The solution is the same.

The living area with cathedral ceiling will be AT LEAST 10 DegF cooler with proper insulation, soffit vents and a solar roof fan, without the A/C turned on.

Please note: insulation contractors should ensure unobstructed airflow from soffit vents to attic.

Solar powered attic ventilation is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency for air conditioning and to improve LEED score. Typical installed cost is about $550 after tax credits are applied. Federal Energy Tax Form 5695. Energy saving and carbon footprint for cooling can be reduced by 10% to 30%. Payback time is less than 5 years. Every succeeding year is money in the bank!

Architects would be well advised to include and specify quality solar fans during the design phase of a project. We have many request from townhouse style condo owners because the upper floors of the unit are warm, even with the A/C turned on. They are prevented from taking remedial action because they can’t get permission from the Condo Association Committee.

A minimum 10% reduction in energy usage (and proportional reduction in carbon footprint) for cooling is a huge number. Moreover, it’s most effective at the exact time when the stress on the “grid” is the greatest, during hot weather. Cost saving to the utility company by not having to upgrade their infrastructure because of reduced peak demand is substantial.

Steve Pineault, http://www.solarfanman.com (TM), has 30 years experience in ventilating attics. SunRise Solar has been an innovator in solar fan design and production. Projected Cost Benefits. All products are made in the USA. To specify or order call 800-FANS123. We free-ship fans to continental US. (Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, Middle East, Australia, Asia and South America, Call for quotes.) SunRise Solar fans have been installed in every state and many countries throughout the world.. Quantity pricing available for Condo projects, Specify SolarFanMan.com for quality.

Free Reports -
Cost Savings of Solar Power Fans

Catherdral Ceilings: Reduce Heat Gain with Solar Roof Fans -
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I hear all too often that people are hesitating to move towards renewable energy because of costs. There are a number of small changes you can make that are not expensive that will make a huge change in your home’s overall efficiency and comfort. A solar attic fan is one of the easiest and most effective renewable energy investments you can make in your home.

Why would you use a solar attic fan?

Well, many people already use exhaust fans in their peaked attics or crawl space. The air in these spaces becomes very hot, and by conduction, that heat passes through to the rooms below. This can increase the need for air conditioning and other energy using cooling methods or just make your house hotter during the summer which is uncomfortable. By exhausting the hot air, you reduce conduction and keep your home cooler consequently reducing power consumption in cooling.

In the fall, winter and spring, solar attic fans can also improve ventilation and reduce moisture in the air of your attic which protects anything you have up there as well as your insulation which will be far more effective when dry and well ventilated. Normal attic fans are wired into the AC power of your home while solar attic fans take their power from the very sun that is heating your attic air. If you already have a traditional attic fan in your home, a solar attic fan is an easy investment that will save you money in the long run and set a great example to others in your community.

Depending on your roof configuration, you’ll be able to find a solar attic fan that will meet your need. Some units are self contained and have the fan and the solar panel in the same unit and must be roof mounted while others are designed for separate installation – meaning the solar panel can be mounted in one location and the fan can be mounted in another.

Solar attic fans are absolutely feasible for most DIY enthusiasts. There are several things you need to take into consideration before choosing the solar attic fan for you.

If your roof peaked or flat?
Is your home oriented properly for solar exposure?
Do you have non-shaded area for the solar panel mount?
Do you have a proper air intake to offset the air being blow out (you don’t want a vacuum)?

Solar attic fans run in cost from $300 to $600. If you have someone handy in your home, they can probably complete the entire installation – in face this is a great starter project for renewable energy enthusiasts. You can also have solar attic fans installed by a professional contractor, roofer or handyman if you are so inclined. So if you’re looking for a quick, inexpensive and fairly easy way to make your home more efficient for the summer time, then consider a solar attic fan! Your home will be cooler, your attic will be dryer and more comfortable and you won’t be using any electricity to make it happen!

Blair Stephens is a copywriter and renewable energy enthusiast.

Easily installed and free to operate, solar attic fans are a smart choice for homeowners who want to save money cooling their homes in summer, prevent ice dams in winter, and extend the lives of their roofs.

Operating Principle

A solar attic fan uses photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electrical power. The electricity generated is used to turn a fan motor, exhausting air from the attic of a home.

Benefits

In summer, temperatures in an unventilated attic can exceed 160 degrees F. A properly sized solar attic ventilation system will reduce attic temperature to 5-10 degrees F above the outdoor temperature. Ventilating the attic reduces the amount of heat transferred from the attic to the home, decreases the load on the air conditioning system (reducing your electric bill), and extends the life of the roof.
In winter, heat trapped in the attic may melt snow on the roof, which trickles down and creates destructive ice dams in the colder eaves.
The attic becomes warmest when the sun is the strongest. A solar attic fan runs the hardest when the sun is strongest.
Everyday home activities such as cooking and showering create moisture which collects in the attic and promotes mold and mildew growth, reduces the effectiveness of insulation, and attacks the wooden attic structure. Year round fresh air circulation from a solar attic fan removes this moisture and prevents moisture related problems.
Zero operating cost.
Installation can be done by a handy homeowner. No electrician is required.
Quiet operation.

Things to Consider

· The cost savings due to reduced air conditioner load depends on the price of electricity in your area, the amount of attic space in your home, the efficiency of your attic insulation, and the amount of ventilation your solar attic vent is able to provide. A typical installation will usually pay for itself in savings within 1-2 summers of use.

· A solar attic fan should not be used when air from the living areas of the home can freely enter the attic. This would result in conditioned air being removed from the home. Any openings between the attic and the home should be sealed before a solar attic fan is installed.

· Properly sized attic vents are required to allow fresh air to enter the attic and replace the hot air removed by the solar attic fan.

· Solar attic fans should be mounted away from ridge vents and gable vents.

Configurations

Solar attic fans are available three configurations:

1. Self flashing roof solar attic fan: The fan base is flat and designed to slide under shingles and attach directly to the roof.

2. Curb mounted solar attic fan: The fan base is a cap designed to fit over a curb which is attached to the roof.

3. Gable fan: The fan exhausts horizontally through the gable end of the attic.

In addition, solar attic fans are available with fan mounted or remote solar panels.

Installation Overview

1) Cut hole in roof (South side is recommended), taking care not to cut through any roof framing members.

2) Slide unit under shingles

3) Reshingle around fan as necessary.

Commonly Asked Questions

1) What size fan do I need?

ANSWER: A solar attic fan should be sized to provide 10 attic air volume changes per hour.

To figure out what flow rate this works out to, figure out the volume of your attic in cubic feet. Multiply your attic volume x 10 air changes per hour to get the total flow required per hour.

Since fans are sized in terms of their cfm (cubic feet/minute) output, divide your total flow per hour by 60 to get cubic feet per minute.

Required flow rate in cfm = (attic volume x 10) / 60

Now check the fan specifications to find the fan or combination of fans required to meet your ventilation needs.

It is also very important to make sure there is enough air inlet area in your attic to allow fresh air to enter and replace the hot air being exhausted. A minimum of 1 square foot for every 360 cfm of exhaust is required. Typically soffit vents are used as inlets.

2) How long will a solar attic fan last?

ANSWER: Solar attic fans are designed to provide many years of trouble free operation. The length of manufacturers’ warranties are a good indicator of the high standards these fans were designed to:

Attic Breeze Fans – Lifetime parts warranty

Solar Star Fans – 5 Year parts on solar panel and motor, 10 years on all other parts.

Natural Light Fans – 25 Year parts warranty

SunRise Solar Fans – 5 year parts warranty on motor, 10 years on all other

3) How is a solar attic fan controlled?

ANSWER: A thermal switch is often used to control a solar attic fan. This switch only allows the fan to run when the attic is warmer than 80-90 degrees F. Running the fan only when the attic is hot extends the life of the fan motor and results in less heat loss to the attic in winter, but does not allow the fan to reduce moisture build-up in the attic at all times and does not allow the fan to prevent ice dams during the winter.

Where can I find more information and pricing on solar attic fans?

ANSWER: Follow this link: Solar Attic Fan

Kevin McErlean
Product Specialist
H-Mac Systems, Inc.
http://store.h-mac.com