Choosing the Right Attic Fan For Energy Efficiency Is Important

Choosing the Right Attic Fan for Energy Efficiency

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Winter may not appear to be the right time to buy an attic fan for your home. The popular perception is that these fans are useful only in summer when they can reduce the heat load in the home and so bring down the air conditioning power consumption. While that is true, it does not mean that attic fans are not useful in winter either.

Using Attic Fans in Winter

Even in moderate climates, like California’s Bay Area, winter temperatures can be low and the rains heavy. When that happens there is a risk of mold and mildew formation and the possibility of health hazards in the less ventilated parts of the home is high. The accumulated moisture could also seep into the walls, ceilings, and floors and cause both cosmetic as well as structural damage. Repair costs could run into thousands of dollars. Attic fans offer protection from these hazards. An attic fan, if used in the right way in winter, will not cause any perceptible heat loss in the home so the heating bill will not go up. Attic fans are not only for the summer – they are good to use in all seasons.

The Energy Issue

Using an attic fan in summer to reduce the cost of air conditioning the house makes sense. The fan uses very little electricity when compared to the air conditioning unit. But if the fan is going to be used year-round, then the power consumption will go up. Is it still worth it? The answer is a strong yes. The 12-month power consumption of an attic fan will still make economic sense. But if you want to run the fan year-round, for free, that too is possible.

There are attic fans that use no grid power so do not add anything at all to your utility bill, summer or winter.

Also Read:  An Unpredictable Winter Ahead

Sustainable Attic Ventilation Options

Solar-powered attic fans use no electricity at all. No matter how much you use them, they do not increase your electricity bills. As long as you buy a solar attic fan from a reputed manufacturer, you can be sure of the quality of the product and can also be assured of many years of trouble-free service. In the field of solar attic fans, Solatube is the world leader and its fans are known for their efficiency and reliability. The company has a range of models available including those that store power to run at night and those that automatically respond to changes in humidity and temperature and adjust their operation to optimize the ventilation. In other words, you can sit back knowing that the fan is doing its job, day and night, summer and winter.

If you think that such advanced attic fans are going to be expensive, they are not. Buying a solar-powered attic fan entitles the purchaser to a 30% federal tax credit which makes the installation of these fans very attractive.

To know more about solar-powered attic fans and to find the right model for your home, contact a Solatube dealer. Ask for a free consultation which will give you all the information you need to make an informed purchase decision. Once you do that, the installation will be quick, clean, and professional so you can start using the fan right away, even if it’s the middle of winter.

Frequently Asked Questions

 1. Are attic fans only useful in summer?

 No, attic fans are beneficial year-round. In winter, they help prevent moisture buildup, mold, and structural damage while maintaining energy efficiency.

 2. How do attic fans help during winter?

 Attic fans improve ventilation, reducing moisture accumulation that could lead to mold, mildew, and costly structural repairs.

 3. Are solar-powered attic fans worth the investment?

Yes, solar-powered attic fans use no electricity, are cost-effective, and come with a 30% federal tax credit, making them a sustainable and economical choice.

 4. Do attic fans increase energy bills if used year-round?

 Traditional fans may slightly raise bills, but solar-powered models eliminate additional costs by running on renewable energy.

 5. What is the benefit of advanced solar attic fans?

Advanced models adjust operation based on humidity and temperature, ensuring optimal ventilation without manual intervention.

 6. How can I choose the right attic fan for my home?

 Contact a Solatube dealer for a free consultation to explore models that fit your home’s ventilation needs and energy goals.