The Common Mistakes During The Install Of A Whole House Attic Fan.

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The Common Mistakes During The Install Of A Whole House Attic Fan.

Don Carter

[Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009] [Viewed: 211] [Comments: 0]
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Mistake Number One:
Going to the local big box hardware store and purchasing a whole house attic fan without doing the proper research first is the biggest mistake a home owner can make when installing a whole house attic fan. If you assume that you have the right size whole house fan, the best manufacturer, or all of the information you need in order to install the house fan yourself, chances are you will have to call someone to fix your do-it-yourself mistakes.

Solution Number One:
Hire a electrical contractor who has a good reputation for installing fans. There is a lot more to it than just cutting the fan opening and turning the fan on. A good electric services company will know: What size fan to use, Whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, Where to place the fan opening, When is the best time to use the house fan to maximize its benefit.

Big Problem Number Two:
Installing a whole house attic fan without the proper equipment, proper insulation, and proper placement of the main intake vent is a terrible mistake.

Solution Number Two:
A reputable electrician will always recommend a whole house attic fan that comes with built in insulation. When it is cold, it is imperative that the house fan, the whole house attic fan housing, the vent opening, and the attic vents have the right insulation so that you are not losing money by escaping warming air. Also, a good licensed electrician will know that the fan needs to be installed in a place that allows for maximum airflow starting at the windows and into the attic.

Problem Number Three:
Buying the cheapest house fan from a website is definitely a big mistake. Whole house attic fans are an inexpensive option when compared to HVAC. The cheaper models are not insulated, have untested fan motors, and are quite loud. The last thing you need is to hear what sounds like a squeeky plane taking off inside the home, or a squeaky fan assembly each time the fan is turned on.

Solution Number Three:
Invest in a quality house fan that has good reviews and low reported problems. A quick search on several consumer goods review sites will steer you in the right direction. Also, consult with your qualified electrician. They might carry a certain brand of fan that they trust and that has a great reputation for being a quality product. Do not choose a brand that has no history of past performance or good reviews by lots of people.

Big Problem Number Four: (And this one is a big one)
Having a house fan installed that is too large for the dwelling is one of the biggest mistakes a home owner can make. If there is not proper attic ventilation, a fan that is too large will quite possibly draw all of the hot air up from the living space and into the attic, and then push that hot air back down into the living space through the wall switches, ceiling lights, electrical outlets, HVAC vents. In fact, a whole house fan that is too large for the home will quite possibly make it hotter, not cooler.

Solution Number Four:
Before installing a house fan, consult with a electrical contractor and chose the model that is right for the dwelling. If you don’t have enough attic ventilation, there are some simple steps that can be taken to provide that ventilation. A ridge vent, gable vent, soffit vent, and whirly gig are all inexpensive options for attic ventilation. A good electrical contractor will also work in conjunction with a licensed contractor who can usually add the proper attic ventilation in a about a day if there is not any in place.

Believe it or not, a smaller whole house attic fan will cool a home with less effort than a larger fan, which is more often than not overkill. The goal with a house fan is balanced air flow. With constant movement of air throughout the home, it will stay cooler with less energy needed. Also, a smaller whole house fan means less installation work, which is always a bonus.

Problem Number Five:
Using the whole house attic fan with the windows closed can cause a potentially hazardous. The house fan functions by drawing cooler air in from the exterior of the house through the open windows and pushing the hot air up into the attic where it escapes through the attic vents. If the windows are closed, there is a possibility that air can be pulled from the diverter that is on top of the water heater or boiler. What this means is that poisonous carbon monoxide can be pushed into the living space, creating a potentially fatal situation.

Solution Number Five:
Open those windows before activating the whole house fan! The house fan is not there to re-circulate bad stale air throughout the home. Its primary function is to cool the home, and provide a cheaper, eco-friendly cooling solution than HVAC. In fact, a well installed house fan can cool an averaged sized house for a tenth of the cost of air conditioning.

Article Tags: clearwater electrician, whole house fan, attic fan, clearwater fl electrician, electrician clearwater, clearwater electrical contractor

About Author:
This article was written by Don Carter for Vozzcom Electric, a licensed Los Angeles electrical contractor. For more information on a whole house fan , visit our website at VozzcomElectric.Net Vozzcom Electric West Florida 13584 49th St N #20 , Clearwater , FL 33762 (727) 209-0171

Article Source:
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