Solar Attic Fan
 

Is it worth having one installed when I have a solar tube installed tomorrow?
I have to pay for a permit anyway so i thought I sould have this done also.

My guess is that solar fans, while helpfull, do not have the air moving capacity of a wired fan. A wired fan is much cheaper and probably doesn't cost that much to operate.

We had them come back (after installation of 2 solar tubes) to install 2 solar fans. Our attic is MUCH cooler now....they seem to work really well IMHO.

Deb

First check the CFM (cubic feet per minute it pushes) of the unit, I think U need about 1000-1500 to make a difference, in electric they cost about $100 plus install.

This one is 1000 cfm at HD for $270

Nice thing is the panels can be set to suns angle, U do not want a flat top unit.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...1494a0_300.jpg

It should face due south about 180 degrees.

this is what you don't want

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pro...b18bc0_300.jpg

:agree: :agree: :agree:

How much is a solar tube?

Explain too how they work...I think it is a little more sophisticated than a straight round skylight and it has some magnifying or mirroring devices in it.

Our Seabrook is a bit dark in the kitchen, but I don't know if I like it dim better than glaring light. Still thinkin' on it.

Gracie,
The house I bought in Glenbrook came with 7 solar tubes and they are great inventions. Lets in light with no heat. There is also a new type of solar tube that has a dimmer on it so you can control how much light you want in the room.

I am surprised the premiers do not come with solar tubes (at least as an option).

Call SolarGuys for pricing info.

I think they R about $2-300 installed.

They are a clear dome with a flexible type tunnel that has reflectors inside to increase the light.

you wind up with a dome in your ceiling that is like a light fixtue.

http://www.booneyliving.com/wp-conte...hts.png?9d7bd4


http://www.roofvents.com/skylightphotos.jpg

Just like you, we were talked into the fan as we were getting solar tubes in first house. We didn't see any difference. We thought they never did it or the fan wasn't working.

On our second house, Steve Lighthouse(home inspector) said forget the attic fan as they don't help. However loved the solar tubes. They made a big difference.

The general recommendation is to set solar panels to equal the latitude of ones' locale, which is 28.92 degrees in TV. It can then be fine tuned as the sun moves from season to season. Of course, maximum use is summer for a vent fan.

The regular powered electric roof vent fans do make a difference. I have a thermometer in the attic and it will drop the attic temps about 20 degrees on the hottest days. As Jimbo said, it depends on the CFM of air movement.

Jimbo did a good job of explaining how a solar tube works. As for the cost, the solar guys want $459 + permit for Sumter County for a 14 inch tube installed. The want $670 for a 22 watt solar attic fan. I'm gonna skip the fan for now.

I have two in my kitchen/living room area, the new one will go in the guest bathroom because there's no window.

I remember a few months ago at one of the craft shows at LSL the Solar Guys were offering the solar tubes at 3 for $1200, you might ask them about that.

As far as cooling the attic, the best thing we did was put a screen on our garage door about a month ago. I now crack the attic steps open about a foot and since then we raised our A/C thermostat inside our house a whole degree.

I see a business opportunity here if I wish to work.

That's a high price considering the wholesale costs of those and an hours labor

Steve told us not to do the solar fan too