Are Attic Fans Good Or Bad

If you have an attic then you already know the answer to this question.

Are attic fans good or bad.

Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. Attic ventilation fans whether hard wired or powered by their own solar panels seem like a low cost and effective way to help keep your house cool. With an attic fan many attics have a temperature that is the same as the outside air or just a few degrees warmer. Every homeowner has been told at some point or another about how important ventilation is to your attic especially by roofing companies and those in the business of selling attic fans.

Good insulation reduces fan effectiveness. Attic ventilation strategies are attic fans a good idea. Attic fans reduce heat dramatically. These include the following.

The temperature in attics without attic fans can climb to as high as 150 degrees f. This backdraft can bring dangerous and toxic fumes into your home like carbon monoxide an odorless and deadly gas. Many attics are exposed to high humidity levels in both the winter and summer months and having a good attic fan helps ease these worries. The point of having an attic fan is to lessen the load on your ac system saving you money.

It also requires no assembly. The downside of attic ventilation fans. Even though a manufactured cover costs more it is far easier to install. There are many benefits of attic fans.

However the utility of attic ventilation fans is actually quite a controversial topic. Attic fans are necessary for keeping your home cooled during summer months and also to help prevent the growth of mold and mildew. A well ventilated attic helps to avoid problems with moisture and heat buildup. More attic ventilation is good.

Using a fan to blow hot air out of the attic doesn t address the radiant heat flow from the roof to the attic floor. Attic mounted fans are quieter because they re farther away from the living area. Trying to solve the heat gain problem in your attic by using a fan is like lying out at the beach with a fan blowing over you and thinking you re not going to get a sunburn. Attic fans can create a negative pressure condition in your home causing vented appliances to backdraft.

Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home.