solar attic fans?

[Russ_Boston]

I have seen many of these installed in TV lately.

Does anyone have any real facts as to the monthly savings? Does it allow the house to get cooler quicker at night?

Thanks.

[Tbugs]

Russ,

I bought a pre-owned home and it already had a solar powered attic fan in it. I have a comfortable temperature in my garage even on the hottest days. I have no idea of how much it saves in energy but it costs nothing to run a solar powered fan. I would have bought one if it were not already here. I also have several solar tubes which are wonderful inventions.

[nkrifats]

Russ,

I bought a pre-owned home and it already had a solar powered attic fan in it. I have a comfortable temperature in my garage even on the hottest days. I have no idea of how much it saves in energy but it costs nothing to run a solar powered fan. I would have bought one if it were not already here. I also have several solar tubes which are wonderful inventions.

Russ, I put one in my villa. Only cost was fan. I don't know savings but it has helped in garage. I also leave garage door slightly open to pull air in. Seems to keep house a bit cooler.

[ljones190]

I have seen many of these installed in TV lately.

Does anyone have any real facts as to the monthly savings? Does it allow the house to get cooler quicker at night?

Thanks.

Russ,

no real facts but it has to bring the attic temperatures down 20-30 degrees during the hottest periods. You need to install 1 fan for every 1000 sq feet of the home under roof, so almost all homes should have 2 and some will need 3. We have installed two and would do it again. I was told by the contractor that it keeps the moisture lower in the winter in the attic, not sure I agree with that.

[champion6]

Russ, I put one in my villa. Only cost was fan. I don't know savings but it has helped in garage. I also leave garage door slightly open to pull air in. Seems to keep house a bit cooler.I'm trying to understand how this works... Does the solar fan pull air into the garage? Do you have a opening in the garage ceiling so that the fans pull out garage air? Thanks.

[natickdan]

I have been on the fence about installing a solar fan(s) because I've heard mixed opinions from friends living in our our TV community. Some see doing so as a benefit and others think its a waste of our money. For that reason, I remain on the fence.

I believe this forum offers a wealth of value to its members and I'll continue to monitor comments from those members who have installed solar fans. Keep cool!

[kandj]

What is the average cost to have these installed? Do they only work on the attic space? Or in the area over the garage help the attice and the garage?

[LI SNOWBIRD]

I'm trying to understand how this works... Does the solar fan pull air into the garage? Do you have a opening in the garage ceiling so that the fans pull out garage air? Thanks.

We had one installed in our Villa a few years ago. We also had vents installed in our garage door. We chock open ( a few inches) the access to the attic in the garage. The solar fan can then suck the hot air from the garage and it will be replaced via the vents.
Works great.:coolsmiley:

[rtime]

How long will these solar fans work before they need replaced. Are the solar panels better than what you find on the solar lights for the yards. I've had attic fans before but they have always been wired in.

[batman911]

I have solar fans installed on my current home. There is no need for an opening into the garage if you just want to cool the attic. You would need an opening from the attic into the garage if you want to cool the garage as well and may need an additional fan installed to increase the air flow volume.

[ljones190]

How long will these solar fans work before they need replaced. Are the solar panels better than what you find on the solar lights for the yards. I've had attic fans before but they have always been wired in.

I was told 10 years by the dealer but only have had them for 1 1/2 years.

[rubicon]

I had the solar guys install two some four years ago. One fan sits right over our storage area. i can't say with any degree of certainty that the attic is cooler during the summer months because hot is hot....but i do believe it helps.

I had an overhed screen door installed for my gaage and can say that it was an excellent investment .

[champion6]

Does the fan run every day of the year? In other words, is their a thermostat so that the fan would not run during cold days in January and February?

[batman911]

My two solar fans have been installed since 1997 and have had no problems. They run whenever there is sufficient sun light. There is no thermostat or on/off switch on the ones I have.

[oceangirl]

I had the solar guys install two some four years ago. One fan sits right over our storage area. i can't say with any degree of certainty that the attic is cooler during the summer months because hot is hot....but i do believe it helps.

I had an overhed screen door installed for my gaage and can say that it was an excellent investment .

We are moving down this week. Could you provide the contractor who installed the screen. This is going to be on the to do list.

[drdodge]

there are a lot better ways to cool attic than installing solar fans and cheaper. You can buy an attic roof fan from Home depot for around 100 dollars and have a handy man or roofer install it
also vents in garage door would be very helpfull to have a good air flow thru the garage and into the attic thru a vent in the garage ceiling

[mulligan]

as has been mentioned before, the ceiling vents may have insurance implications, because they affect the integrity of the fire rated ceiling in the garage. Just sayin

[rubicon]

We are moving down this week. Could you provide the contractor who installed the screen. This is going to be on the to do list.

"The Solar Guys" out on 441/27. They advertise in the paper , phone books, etc Good Luck with your move

[Wandatime]

Here is a GREAT article advising against using either solar or powered attic ventilators (not to be confused with a whole house attic fan).

Fans in the Attic: Do They Help or Do They Hurt? | GreenBuildingAdvisor.com (http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/fans-attic-do-they-help-or-do-they-hurt)

[DangeloInspections]

Here is another interesting article.....
Don't Let Your Attic Suck | The ASHI Reporter | Inspection News & Views from the American Society of Home Inspectors (http://www.ashireporter.org/HomeInspection/Articles/Don-t-Let-Your-Attic-Suck/2177)

This is a controversial subject, with folks feeling strongly on both sides. I just suggest doing your homework. I have nothing to gain either way of course, but it is a question I get asked about on a regular basis.

Frank

[tommy steam]

What is the average cost to have these installed? Do they only work on the attic space? Or in the area over the garage help the attice and the garage?

I was heard a salesman quote a customer , 799 per unit... This was a couple of weeks ago. Was 849 but was on sale for the 799 price.

[tommy steam]

Here is a GREAT article advising against using either solar or powered attic ventilators (not to be confused with a whole house attic fan).

Fans in the Attic: Do They Help or Do They Hurt? | GreenBuildingAdvisor.com (http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/fans-attic-do-they-help-or-do-they-hurt)

This is really a great article . Tells you everything you need to know about attic fans.