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Installing Whole House Fans in the Attic
Whole house fans are large fans that
usually reside in the attic, and are installed and positioned over a main
hallway.
A whole house fan
operates by drawing in large volumes of cool air from the outside, via the
home’s windows, and pulling the hot air from the living space out via attic
vents.
Due to their size,
and the high speed that homeowners typically run them at, whole house fans have
been known to be notoriously loud.
Whole House Fan Technology
Whole house fan
technology has improved over the years thus eliminating much of the noise
associated with older models. All metal, welded frames fans work best as they
have fewer parts to rub together and create noise. Also if properly installed,
motor vibration noise can be prevented by installing the whole house fan on
rubber mountings.
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In addition, there
are many things a homeowner can do to reduce or prevent the fan noise. First, it
is usually best to install the largest whole house fan possible. A smaller fan
has to turn much faster to draw the same amount of air as a large one - the
higher the revolutions per minute (RPMs) the louder the fan noise. In addition,
smaller fans with higher RPMs typically have higher failure rates. Second, the
higher number of fan blades the quieter the fan. So when looking for a whole
house fan it is best to select the largest model possible with the highest
number of fan blades.
Installing Whole House Fans Requires Adequate Venting
Sufficient attic
venting is required when installing a whole house fan. Typically 1 square foot
of net free venting is required for every 700-800 cubic feet per minute (CPM) of
air flow. Frequently, there is insufficient attic venting when installing whole house attic
fans, so it is critical that additional attic venting be installed when
installing the whole house fan. Inadequate attic venting can also cause noise and
reduce the efficiency of the whole house fan.
Typically
homeowners have whole house fans on timers that turn the fan on-and-off in the
early evening. This also helps to mitigate the impact of any noise associated
with the fans. Whole house fans are not usually installed with thermostats, as
whole house fans require some homeowner prep. Windows must be opened prior to
the fan turning on for cooling to actually occur and to prevent the possibility
of pilot lights from going out.
Hire
a Professional for Installing Whole House Fan
It is recommended
that a whole house fan be installed by professionals as they can ensure that the
appropriate sized fan is installed properly and that adequate attic ventilation
can be created. Typically installing a whole house fan can be completed
within 1-2 days.
How to Finance your Attic Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Related Attic and Whole House Fan and
Air Conditioning Information
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