Even though we are currently enjoying cool weather, it won’t be long before the temperatures start climbing again. Our summer heat can be brutal, and it can cause serious strain on your HVAC system and your wallet when the electric bill arrives. There are many ways to increase the efficiency of your home’s air conditioning to keep you and your family cool throughout the hottest months, but one option you may not have considered before is the attic fan. What are attic fans – and should you get one?
The designs of HVAC systems don’t include attic fans, but having this extra tool can help ease the load on your air conditioner during the hot summer months and prevent significant damage when the temperature cools in winter. Though they are not required, you may want to consider having an attic fan installed in your home, and here’s why:
- You’ll cool things down. If you think the temperature of the summer air is unbearable, consider what it must be in your attic! Since heat rises, the attic bears the brunt of the season’s high temperatures. A South Florida attic has the potential to reach between 130 and 150 degrees at midday. Once the hot air rises into the attic, it often sits there with nowhere to go–small vents on the side of the house may allow for some air exchange, but not much. A fan will circulate the air and keep it from sitting stagnant on top of your house. As the hot air is forced out of the attic, more hot air from your home can rise and take its place, meaning that the inside of your home can stay cooler overall. This is especially helpful for two-story homes with a notoriously hot second story.
- You’ll decrease the chances of mold. The warm air rising from your house in winter mixes with the cooler air in the attic from the outside temperatures and can lead to moist conditions in your attic. This moisture allows mold to grow and the wood in the attic to rot if it isn’t properly moderated–quite an expensive repair if it goes unnoticed for a long time. An attic fan will help dry out the attic and prevent moisture from sitting against the wood.
- The fan will save you energy. By keeping the airflow constant through the attic, attic fans allow for your HVAC system to work less hard while regulating the inside temperature. By decreasing the strain on your system, you will save energy, save money on your bill, and decrease the chances of your HVAC breaking down during the time when you need it the most.
Keep in mind that there are some downsides to an attic fan. First, there are the up-front costs for purchasing the unit and having it professionally installed. The danger of working in an unfinished attic combined with the dangers inherent to dealing with electricity and your roof means that only fully licensed and insured electricians should be doing the job. If the fan isn’t put in well, it could lead to leaks in your roof or electrical fires, both of which aren’t readily detected until they have caused some significant damage. You will also want to make sure that your attic is well insulated since all the fan power in the world will not beat the heat if hot air is seeping in through cracks and thin insulation.
Ceiling fans installed in the attic can be a helpful addition to your heating and cooling system. Though the initial cost is an investment, the cost of running the fan will likely save you money overall since your HVAC won’t have to work as hard. Just be sure to have a trusted professional hang and wire it for you.
Promise Electric provides electrical services for Sarasota area home and business owners.
