An attic fan offers many benefits for a home. This can help reduce heating and cooling costs. It can also reduce the risk of damage or destruction of your roofing materials. If you go the solar route, you can benefit from the fan operating without any additional electricity being used. At the same time, you may qualify for tax credits.
Understanding how an attic fan works and the benefits may entice you to look into it further. The movement of the attic fan removes hot air from the space in the attic. The hot air is replaced with fresh air, cooler air. This allows your home to stay cooler and reduce your energy costs for air conditioning. In the colder times of the year, it can help the heat be evenly distributed when your heater is operating.
Getting this in motion will protect your home and it will save you money. It is an investment that provides ongoing value once it is done. Understanding how these fans work and all of the benefits associated with them can get you investigating it further. Some consumers think it is a good idea but assume it is out of their price range.
The process is faster than ever before to install and the prices have dramatically dropped over the years. This makes it possible for more households to find it within their budget to add the attic fan system. There is no obligation to find out what is available and what your home would benefit from the most. Once you have that quote, you can decide if you would like to move forward with the installation process.
Temperatures Soar Due to the Heat from the Sun
You may be surprised just how warm it gets in your attic. The temperature in there can significantly warmer than the outside temperatures. This is because the heat from the sun is beating down on the roof. It will reach the attic before it reaches any other point in your home as it is closer to the sun. This can cause your home to heat up and the air conditioner system to kick on. The air conditioner is going to run longer and harder when warm air is coming in from the attic.
Even on days when it is only 70 degrees Fahrenheit outdoors, it may still be 100 degrees Fahrenheit in your attic! Don’t overlook the bigger picture when it comes to those temperatures at the highest point in your home. This is why the attic fans are recommended. This is why they are useful throughout the year. They aren’t just something used during the summer months.
Once the attic fan is installed, the cooler air is going to change that outcome. It allows the temperature in your home to be lower when it is hot outside. As a result, your air conditioner will run less often but your home will remain cooler. This saves you money on the electric bill. It also extends the life of the air conditioning system. Repairs or replacing them can be very expensive.
When you have your heating system on, you don’t want some parts of the home to be cold and others to be too hot. Instead, you want the rooms to be evenly heated with a constant temperature all over. The attic fans can help to circulate the air and allow that to happen. They aren’t going to be a problem or work against you in the colder months.
Solar Energy for Attic Fans
The best way to gain value from attic fans is with those that operate on solar energy. You won’t spend any money on electricity to operate them. Instead, they are able to collect energy from the sunlight. This energy is converted into electricity used to operate them. The design of such equipment is efficient and it allows the most sunlight possible to be collected daily. The collection can also occur on days when it is cooler out and cloudy.
Such a system can benefit your home, even if you live in an area that isn’t sunny all the time. It is a misconception that this type of solar energy would only work well in a region where there is plenty of sunlight on most days. Homeowners in those areas do benefit as they tend to have higher temperatures for most of the year. Some of these areas are very humid. The fans can help to reduce damage to the structure from the humidity.
If you go with the solar energy attic fans, such a home improvement may qualify for tax credits. Otherwise, it is not a deduction you can take. To qualify the home improvement must be one that makes it energy efficient. The tax credits offered can be different for state and federal taxes. Not all states offer it, but see if yours does.
The amount of credit you can take depends on where you are located. There are certain factors that influence what is deductible and what isn’t. Talk to your tax preparer in advance to see what you can gain from solar energy attic fans. Even if there isn’t a tax credit for you, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a good idea to pursue.
Setup
The process of setting up an attic fan should be done by a professional. They know the best methods to use. They have the tools, the equipment, and the safety concepts to do the job correctly. It can be risky to take on such a project on your own. The process involves powered fans placed on the roof of your home.
There is a flashed opening in them. This allows the hot air to be pulled out from the attic. The amount of hot air removed and replaced with cool air depends on the equipment used. Today’s technology allows for the best outcome. The setup can be done in a short amount of time and the cost is reasonable.
The correct installation process makes a difference with the attic fan. There should be a couple of rafter bays or several ridge vents in place. They will prevent a cyclonic circulation problem. This can develop if the fans are moving in a particular direction. Since the wind can’t be controlled, the design of the system has to ensure the fans move in the correct direction to draw the heat outward.
The fans should be located about 6 feet from those rafter bays or ridge vents to offset the risk of such an issue. A professional installer is going to be aware of this strategy. They aren’t going to cut corners. They want to offer you the best outcome, and they are dedicated to getting all of the details right.
The design of the equipment on your roof isn’t going to be an eyesore. That is a common concern for many homeowners. They don’t want something that sticks out like a sore thumb up there and reducing the curb appeal of the home. They don’t want their neighbors to be upset about what they see either.
Talk to the provider to see what the equipment will look like. Depending on the design of the roof, most of it may be hidden. You won’t be to see it from your yard or when you drive down the street. The items that can be seen aren’t going to be ugly or cause any concerns with those that live around you.
Keep the Heated Air Circulating Out of the Home
Once the attic fans are in place, they will work to prevent heated air from circulating in your home. An attic can get up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit, and that means your air conditioning is working very hard to remove that warm air. When the fans keep it from getting into your home the warm air inside will be at a significantly lower temperature than before.
When the high temperature air continues to come into your home, it can make it hard to keep the house at a decent temperature. That is the cycle you are in right now if your home doesn’t have attic fans. This simple but effective change can help you save a great deal every single month on your electricity. The cost charged by electric companies continues to go up, so the value you gain continues to pay off over time.
Overall Ventilation
The correct set up for attic fans means a comfortable home for you. This can improve the overall ventilation system for the attic too. The air is pulled through that ventilation by the fans. This process can protect the materials your attic structure is made from. The fans can prevent mold or mildew from developing in them. This can also reduce problems due to high humidity as the fans will dry out the moisture.
When the attic structure is damaged, it can compromise your home. This can make it possible for water to leak into the home as moisture gets on the roof. Ice and snow can linger, and you don’t want them to melt into your home. This can damage walls and destroy property you own. Not all items can be replaced either.
Preventative action to protect the structure of your attic can prevent problems from spiraling out of control. Too often, such problems go unnoticed until you have a serious issue. It can be difficult and expensive to get it taken care of. If the problem is identified during the harsh part of winter, you may have a hard time finding a professional willing to take care of it. Most will only do it if you can wait until spring rolls around.
Sometimes, soffit vents are blocked, so they aren’t doing you any good. They don’t allow any air to circulate. They don’t serve any purpose if they don’t perform as they should. The installation of the attic can system can change this. The blocked vents can be opened up so they work with the new system.
Your installer should take a close look at your current ventilation system. If they notice any problems or concerns those have to be addressed. Otherwise, they can prevent the attic fan from working as it should. They can work against rather than with it. The goal is to gain the most value from the attic fans and the complete ventilation system in place.
For older homes, the ventilation system may be outdated. The fans can help but they may not be enough to resolve the issue completely. It may be necessary to upgrade that ventilation system at the same time the attic fans are installed.
Conclusion
Attic fans are worth checking into. This can be a viable solution to save money on your cooling and heating costs every month. It can help to protect those systems so they are less likely to need repairs or to be replaced. Staying comfortable in your home regardless of outside temperatures is important.
The benefits are worth the investment and start to pay for themselves immediately. Keeping your home comfortable, reducing the risk of costly repairs, and helping the structure to last over the years offer value. A home is a significant investment, and being proactive allows you to enjoy it and take care of it properly.
Such a home improvement project will increase the value of your home. Should you decide to sell it at some point, this can entice potential buyers to give it a second look. Protecting the structure around your attic is an additional benefit with the fans in place. Don’t forget to look at any tax deductions this type of home improvement may offer to you with the solar energy option.
Work closely with the installer to find out what they recommend and how the process works. They will answer your questions and get you a price quote. They can take care of the materials and installation process. When they are done you can benefit from the attic fan system from that point forward.