What is a Whole House Fan?
A whole house fan is a large, powerful fan that pulls air throughout the entire house. Whole house fans are about 20 to 48 inches in diameter and are powered by a large electric motor. They are most often installed in the ceiling, in a central location on the uppermost story of the house. These fans exhaust air from the house into the attic space, AKA “attic fan.”
How Does a Whole House Fan Work?
They work by pulling cooler outdoor air into the house through open windows and doors, replacing the hot stale air inside the house. The moving air created by the fan also give the effect of cooling the air throughout the house. When the fan is turned on, they exhaust the hot air pulled from the house out through the attic, also cooling the attic. Since hot air rises, the attic is often the hottest area of the house; an attic fan pushes the hot air out the attic vents, reducing any heat gain from the hot air in the attic.
When Should a Whole House Fan Should Be Used
Whole house fans “cool” the home only when the air outdoors is cooler than the air inside the home. Whole house fans are often used to cool houses in the evening, when the outdoor air has cooled. During the day, when the temperature outside rises higher than the temperature in the home, the fan is stopped and the windows are kept closed.
Is a Whole House Fan Right for my Nevada County Home?
Many people in Nevada County report considerable savings with their whole house fans, but say that they may operate their air conditioning one or two weeks per year during the hottest weather. Our area in Nevada County is a great environment for using a whole house fan with our warm days and cool night. If you suffer from dust, mold or other allergies, a whole house fan may not be for you, as fans will pull dust and other allergens into your home.
For a free estimate call us at ABT Plumbing, Electric Heat and Air 530-272-9120