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Whole House Fan Installation Guide

As the summer heat reaches its peak, you may need to take additional steps to keep your home cool. And one effective cooling solution consider whole house fan installation. Whole house fans can provide excellent results for cooling your entire home efficiently.

A whole-house fan system is a cost-effective and straightforward way to cool your space. It works by causing negative pressure. This pulls air from open windows and exhausts the hot air through the attic to the outdoors.

The greater the negative pressure, the more positive pressure in your attic. This positive pressure encourages the attic to release cool air. Air comes through vents, such as soffits in the eaves. This whole process brings a refreshing cooling effect to the entire home.

A whole house fan installation is efficient when operated at night, in the morning, and late evening. During these times, the outside air is cooler and most useful for replacing the air inside your home.

How To Install A Whole House Fan

The whole house fan system is usually installed in the roof or attic of your business or home. The whole house fan installation takes a minimum of 15-30 minutes.

A typical whole-house fan has a vertical or horizontal mount, a decorative finishing grill, and a powerful motor system. Other parts include a trace-and-cut installation template, an 8-foot pre-installed cord, and a ventilator ceiling grill. You may also have a double-stack switch and an 8-hour digital timer.

  1. First off, decide where you’d like to fit the ventilator grill. Mark the wall opening or ceiling using the premade template.
  2. Next, fix the whole house fan in the attic and hang the acoustic insulated ducting and motorhead.
  3. After this, install the ceiling grill in the intake area. Just pull the grill through the opening in the drywall, set it in place, and tighten the cover.
  4. Finally, wire it up. Thanks to the preinstalled cord, this part is easy. Tie the cord into an available circuit in your basement, fix an electric receptacle, and plug the fan in.

Advantages of a Whole House Fan System

There are many pros and cons of whole-house fan systems. As for the advantages, a properly installed system is quiet and lasts up to ten years.

Whole house fans are impressively energy-efficient too. They use a lower amount of power than the average air conditioner. So, you don’t have to worry about high utility bills.

Whole house fans work quickly to circulate a refreshing breeze around your home. They draw cooling air through open windows and push warm air out. So, even if you don’t have an air conditioning system, a whole-house fan can provide a cooling indoor breeze.

The Downside

While a whole house fan installation can be an effective cooling solution, there are some downsides. For example, whole house fans may not work as well in certain climates. And the fans can also pull pollen, hot air, or dust straight into your home.

Some whole house fan models may also make a low humming noise when they operate. But this noise issue can usually be fixed by installing the fan away from the main living areas of your home.

A Good Bet

You can find a whole-house fan that works well for your home, but it requires some research and proper installation. If you have any other questions or are ready to get a whole house fan installation, contact Ameriside. Our experienced technicians can quickly and efficiently install a whole-house fan system. Ameriside’s priority is your comfort, so give us a call today at (800) 599-8124.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Whole House Fan Installation and How Does It Work?

A whole house fan is a ventilation system that cools your home by drawing in cool outdoor air through windows and expelling warm indoor air through the attic vents.

Where Should a Whole House Fan Be Installed?

Typically, a whole house fan installation in the ceiling between the living space and the attic, usually in a central hallway or common area. This placement allows for optimal air circulation throughout the home.

What Size Whole House Fan Do I Need?

The appropriate size of a whole house fan installation fan depends on your home’s square footage and ceiling height. A general recommendation is to choose a fan that provides between 2 to 3 times your home’s square footage in cubic feet per minute (CFM).

What is the Average Installation Cost of a Whole House Fan?

Installation costs can vary widely, depending on the fan type, size, and whole house fan installation complexity. DIY installation can reduce costs but requires basic carpentry and electrical skills.

Are There Any Special Considerations for Attic Ventilation?

Adequate attic ventilation is essential to ensure the fan operates efficiently. Without proper venting, expelled hot air can accumulate in the attic, reducing the fan’s effectiveness and potentially causing damage.

References

Airflow Measurement

Continuous Whole-House Ventilation

Whole-House Ventilation