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Posted on November 2, 2009 by Don Carter | Posted under Home Improvement
The five biggest mistakes home owners make during install of a whole house fan.
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Going to the neighborhood big box hardware store and purchasing a whole house fan without researching house fans first is the biggest mistake a home owner can make when installing a whole house fan. If you assume that you have the right size whole house attic fan, the best manufacturer, or all of the information you need in order to install the whole house fan yourself, chances are you will have to hire someone to correct your do-it-yourself mistakes. Solution Number One: Hire a reputable electrician who has a good reputation for installing whole house fans. Even though the project is relatively small, there is a lot more to it than just cutting the vent opening and turning the fan on. A good licensed electrician will know: What size fan to use, Whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, Where to place the fan opening, When is the best time to use the house fan to maximize its benefit. Problem Number Two: Installing a fan without the right equipment, right insulation, and proper placement of the main intake vent is a terrible mistake. Solution Number Two: A electric services company will always recommend a whole house attic fan that comes with built in insulation. When it is cold, it is important that the house fan, the fan housing, the vent opening, and the attic vents have the correct insulation so that you are not losing money by escaping warming air. Also, a good electric services company will know that the whole house attic fan has to be installed in a place that allows for maximum airflow starting at the windows and into the attic. Problem Number Three: Buying the cheapest fan from the hardware store is definitely a big mistake. Fans are not expensive at all when compared to HVAC. The less expensive models are not insulated, have unreliable fan assemblies, and are quite loud. The last thing a home owner needs is to hear what sounds like a squeeky plane taking off inside the home, or a squeaky fan assembly each time the house fan is turned on. Solution Number Three: Invest in a quality fan that has good reviews and a great reputation. A quick search on several consumer goods review web sites will steer you in the right direction. Also, consult with your licensed electrician. They might carry a certain brand of house fan that they trust and that has a great reputation for being a quality product. Do not buy a brand that has no history of past performance or good reviews by home owners. Mistake Number Four: (And this one is huge!) Having a house fan installed that is too large for the home is one of the biggest mistakes a home owner can make. If there is not enough attic ventilation, a whole house fan that is too large will draw all of the hot air up from the interior space and into the attic, and then push that hot air back down into the interior space through the wall switches, ceiling lights, electrical outlets, HVAC vents. In fact, a fan that is too large for the home will quite possibly make it hotter, not cooler. Solution Number Four: Before installing a fan, consult with a electric services company and chose the model that is right for the dwelling. If you don’t have enough attic ventilation, there are some simple steps that may be to provide that ventilation. A ridge vent, gable vent, soffit vent, and whirly gig are all worthwhile options for attic ventilation. A good electrical contractor will also work in conjunction with a licensed contractor who can usually add the proper attic ventilation in a about a day if there is not any in place. Believe it or not, a smaller house fan will cool a dwelling with less effort than a larger fan, which is more often than not overkill. The goal with a whole house attic fan is balanced air flow. With constant movement of air throughout the home, it will stay cooler with less energy needed. Also, a smaller fan means less installation work, which is always a bonus. Mistake Number Five: Operating the house fan without having the windows open is a very dangerous thing. The house fan works by drawing cooler air in from the exterior of the house through the open windows and pushing the hot air up into the attic where it escapes through the attic vents. If you close the windows, there is a great chance that air can be pulled from the diverter that is on top of the water heater or boiler. What this means is that poisonous carbon monoxide can be pushed into the living space, causing a hazardous situation. Solution Number Five: Open those windows before activating the whole house fan! The fan is not there to re-circulate bad stale air throughout the dwelling. Its primary function is to remove hot air from the home, and provide a less expensive cooling solution than HVAC. In fact, a well installed house fan can cool an averaged sized house for a tenth of the cost of air conditioning. About The Author: This article was written by Don Carter for Vozzcom Electric, a licensed Miami electrical services company. For more information on a whole house fan , visit our website at VozzcomElectric.Net |
Tags: WHOLE HOUSE FAN, WHOLE HOUSE ATTIC FAN, MIAMI ELECTRICAL, HOUSE FAN
