Attic Fan Installation and Attic Ventilation Experts
Attic fans are an economical and integral part of making your home more energy efficient.
Most homes in the Raleigh and Charlotte area are built with a ridge vent. A ridge vent is a passive system that theoretically allows air to escape naturally from the attic. Even with a ridge vent, temperatures in the attic can exceed 150 degrees in the summer. It simply is ineffective at removing the heat we experience here in the south from the attic.
This extreme heat can cause even more serious problems when air conditioning systems and duct work are in the attic. Improper attic ventilation will cause excessive usage of your AC equipment and is quite costly for your system to keep up in such extreme temperatures.
In addition, the suns rays beaming down on your roof will cook the shingles from the outside and extreme heat in the attic will fry them from the inside, diminishing the life span of your roof over time3. These are all scenarios that proper attic ventilation can alleviate.
Proper attic ventilation is also effective in balancing temperatures between the upper and lower levels of your home. It can also help cool bonus rooms over the garage.
The Fan Man offers several options that, when combined, bring balance to the temperature in your home and reduce the overall cooling load of your home:
- hardwire power attic fan
- solar power attic fan
- gable mounted fan (used often in situations where the roof is not easily penetrable)
- soffit vents
- close portions of your ridge vent in conjunction with fan installation (see FAQ for in in-depth explanation of why this is so important)
- exhaust fans
- solar attic exhaust fan
Hardwired Attic Fan Installation in Raleigh and Charlotte
A hardwired attic fan is most often the application we see fit for most homes. We recommend and install GAF 1600cfm fans that will typically work in up to 1500 sq ft of attic space, with a relatively steep roof pitch. Powered fans move the same amount of air regardless of conditions beyond the temperature in the attic, unlike the solar fans that move a varying amount of air depending on how much sun is hitting the solar panel.
How Much Does An Attic Fan Cost To Run?
These fans use a nominal amount of electricity (equal to that of three 60 watt light bulbs, costing about $6 /month running 12 hours a day) and are the most efficient at cooling the air in your attic. They are thermostatically controlled, quiet when running., and have a low profile that blends well into your roof. Our products and installation are also guaranteed with a non-transferrable 10 year warranty on parts and labor.
Solar Attic Fan Installation in Raleigh and Charlotte
Solar powered attic fans have become increasingly popular as consumers become more energy conscious than ever because they don’t use any electricity to operate. However, certain conditions must be present in order to make it as effective and efficient as its electrically powered counterpart. Solar fans are most effective when installed on the southern facing roof section with little obstruction.
Comparison of Solar vs Hardwired Attic Fans
| Feature | Solar Attic Fans | Hardwired Attic Fans |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical Usage | No electrical usage | Consumes electricity (typically 120 watts) |
| Wiring | No wiring required | Requires electrical wiring |
| Tax Credits | Eligible for tax credits | Not eligible for tax credits |
| Air Flow Consistency | Inconsistent; depends on perfect conditions (direct sun, no cloud cover, south facing roof) | Consistent air flow regardless of weather conditions |
| Number of Units Required | May require multiple units to match the performance of a single hardwired fan | Typically, fewer units needed |
| Initial Cost | Potentially higher initial cost, especially if multiple units are needed | Lower initial cost compared to multiple solar units |
| Long-term Savings | Saves on electricity, but additional units and setup can reduce overall savings | Saves money by reducing attic temperature by 40-50 degrees, resulting in lower cooling costs |
A Comprehensive Solution
Want An In-Home Energy Audit?
Our energy experts will visit your home and identify all of the ways we can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Our detailed report will outline all of the potential improvements along with the potential energy savings. Contact us today to schedule yours!
Gable Mounted Attic Fan Installation in Raleigh and Charlotte
Gable mounted attic fans are used when the roof is not easy to penetrate, like slate roofs and tile roofs, or HOA restrictions.
How Much Does A Gable Mounted Attic Fan Cost To Run?
These fans use a nominal amount of electricity, in peak season they typically cost less than $10 per month. They are efficient at cooling the air in the attic, but not as efficient as a traditional attic vent installed through the roof. They are thermostatically controlled, quiet when running, and have a low profile. Our products and installation are also guaranteed with a non-transferable 10 year warranty on parts and labor.
Soffit Venting
Proper intake vents are a critical component of any attic ventilation system. Additional soffit venting is required when there is not enough intake air in your attic. Not having enough intake air could lead to negative pressure. Negative pressure can cause air conditioned air to be pulled from your home or create a vacuum in the attic that will burn out a fan Our technician will assess your current intake air to determine if any additional venting is required. A minimum of 70 linear feet or 700 sq in. of intake air is required for a 1600cfm fan to prevent negative pressure.
Attic Ventilation and Attic Fan Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal temperature for an attic?
1. A good rule of thumb: your attic should be 100 degrees or less.
A poorly ventilated attic can have temperatures that reach above 160 degrees. Even an attic with a convection fed system (ridge and soffit vents) can reach between 140 and 150 degrees. When an attic temperature gets above 100 degrees the heat is drawn toward the living space through the insulation and has a detrimental effect on the air handler and duct work in the attic. A powerful ventilation system along with the proper intake air is capable of keeping your attic around 100 degrees on a 90 degree day.
Why is the upstairs harder to cool than the downstairs?
Typically the HVAC air handler and ductwork for the upper floor(s) is located in the attic. The heat trapped in the attic is being absorbed into the duct work and the air handler. By the time the cold air is produced in the metal air handler and the air runs through the ductwork it can be heated between 8 and 20 degrees because of the extremely hot air in the attic. When the temperature in the attic is lowered the air conditioning unit runs more efficiently to produce cooler air.
How many fans do I need in my attic?
The number of attic fans required depends on several factors.
The total square footage of the attic space along with the pitch of the roof determines the volume of air in the attic. The volume of air, along with the shape of the attic determines how many fans you need. Typically one fan will ventilate a maximum of 1400 to 2000 sq. ft depending on the pitch of the roof.
What if I already have a ridge vent?
To achieve proper air flow we will shut a section of the ridge vent surrounding the proximity of where the fan will be installed. This will only allow shaded air to be pulled evenly across the soffit vents and have the maximum cooling effect on the attic space. If this wasn’t done, hot air would be drawn in through the ridge and recirculated through the fan. This can cause the attic temperature to climb an extra 15-20 degrees.
How much can I save in cooling costs with an attic fan?
Several factors will determine the amount saved on your cooling costs. The placement of the air handler and ductwork is a major factor. If they are located in your attic and absorbing the heat trapped in your attic space the savings on your energy bill will be greater than if your air handler is located somewhere else. It also depends on the temperature you set the thermostat as well as the age of your AC unit. In most cases our customers save between 20 and 30% of what it costs to cool their home. For customers with gas heat you can easily determine your cooling costs by deducting your winter electric bill from your summer electric bill. Considering what you save in cooling costs this system will pay for itself in 2-4 yrs. If you factor in other benefits such as a more efficient air handler and longer roof shingle life then your pay off is much sooner.
How much power do high-efficiency attic fans consume?
During the peak summer, fans typically run 12 hours a day. You can expect a powered fan to cost just over $6/month which is about .11/kwh. This equates to about the same amount of energy as three 60 watt light bulbs. Our power fans draw 2 amps of electricity while in use. The average air handler and condensing unit for your AC will draw between 20 and 24 amps. Far less energy is used when running the fans than when trying to cool a home with an overheated attic.
Solar attic fans run off the suns energy and therefore consume no energy when in use.
Is it true that proper attic ventilation can make my roof last longer?
Yes. A poorly ventilated attic can cut the life of your roof in half. A 40 year roof for example can very easily last only twenty years if it is exposed to the heat of the sun along with 150 degree temperatures in the attic. This is essentially cooking your roof from both sides.
Why do I see streaks on relatively new roofs?
When a shingle is overheated “burn-off” occurs. This occurs when a shingle over heats and the top layer breaks loose and falls off. The top layer of the shingle has a protective coating which prevents algae build-up. When that coating comes off mold and fungus can grow on your roof. When the attic is kept at a cooler temperature the “burn-off” effect is minimized. This in turn keeps your roof looking better longer and the rate of deterioration is much slower.
How often will the attic fan run?
If you are running your AC there is a good chance that your attic fan will be running at some point in the day. On a sunny 70 degree day your attic will reach 100 degrees so your fan will be running periodically throughout the day. During the summer in the south your ventilation system will turn on early and operate throughout the day. When your fan is running it is saving you money on your air conditioning.
Are the attic fans thermostatically controlled?
Yes. Each fan runs automatically and is connected to its own thermostat. We set the thermostat at 95 degrees so when the attic reaches 95 degrees the fan turns on and runs until the attic temperature reaches 85 degrees. There is also a switch installed with the fan so that it can be turned off manually should the need occur.
Do the fans make a lot of noise?
Our installation process has been refined to ensure that each fan will run quietly and smoothly. First, galvanized screws are used to secure the fan – not roofing nails. We do this because over time nails will become loose. On the other hand screws secure the fan to the roof. Secondly, the fan is balanced to minimize noise and vibration. These steps ensure a balanced fan which runs smoothly and quietly. This is one key aspect that sets the Fan Man apart from other energy efficiency and fan installation companies in Raleigh, Charlotte, and nationwide.
How do I know which is the best application for my home or business? Solar vs Hardwired Attic Fan
This has become a very popular question in recent years. Solar fans seem to make perfect sense; no electrical usage, no wiring, and best of all tax credits. Solar fans can be a great option, but only in limited circumstances. The problem with solar fans when compared to its electric counterpart is the extreme inconsistency with which it moves air. Conditions have to be perfect for a solar fan to achieve the same amount of air flow you get with an electric fan. This means you must have direct sun, with no cloud cover or shading, and a south facing roof. A lot of times these factors do not exist and therefore you need additional solar fans to make up for the inadequacies created by these conditions. In effect you end up spending more money (even with the tax credits) because you have to buy a larger solar system to gain the same effect of a smaller electric fan system. Customers have to keep in mind that by dropping the attic temperature 40-50 degrees you stand to save much more money than eliminating the power usage of a 120 watt fan.
Beat the Heat with Proper Attic Ventilation in Raleigh or Charlotte
Ready to cool things down? Attic Ventilation can make a big difference in your home's comfort. Reach out by calling us at 704-759-9964 or filling out the form below to learn about our attic ventilation solutions.
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