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

Our home inspector said that the solar fans just exhaust the air that is being pulled in from the nearest roof peak vent. So the net effect is minimal. Not worth the cost.

Installed one large 2000 cfm solar fan to keep air moving in the attic. The radiant heat barrier does the trick but I just wanted to have constant air movement as moisture can still accumulate.

It lowered the attic temp even more and I like the fact I can look up and see it working. Can feel it also.

The radiant heat barrier is better investment if you want to try that first, you don't need to install it on any attic spaces that face north and don't get the sun.

I think our electric company installs it but if you get a quote ask that it not go on the north to save a few $$.

You also can diy at HD for $150-200, simple staple to underside of the roof.

I think the other poster had an undersized fan. They have to lower temps

Hello John,

I already have two solar tubes and only need one more. The price I got is an "event" price because the Solar Guys are having some sort of a show this week.

I have a screen on the garage and I have a stick holding the attic stairs opened a little. There is an air pull from the garage this way.

solar tube
 

We had both a solar tube and fan installed about 5yrs ago. They are great. The fan runs with the sun, not a thermostat. The solar tube is great because it lights up a room without turning on the lights. Biggest regret is that We only installed one tube.

I think U save about $50 in electric a year not turning the light on in that same room.

I will agree that electric attic vent fans are more powerful, but they are loud, consume expensive electricity, and typically run far into the evening/early AM. I know that my Solatube Solar Star solar fans, which I used to replace my electric fans, are whisper quiet and have already paid for themselves. I know the Solar Star fans have a proven track record of highly efficient operation with little/no maintenance issues.

A key benefit to consider when looking at tubular skylights/sun tunnels is the quality of life improvements that they can provide. Even 'daylight' light bulbs have an off color. The Solatube Daylighting Systems I have (and I have 4 in my home) provide absolutely crystal clear daylight. The other brands that are found in big box stores have different, less reflective surfaces that absorb certain parts of the spectrum as the light travels down the tube. The results with those are that the light that is brought into your home will have either a yellow/orange tint or a blue/gray tint, depending on which off-brand you purchase. I chose the Solatube brand because of the quality of light that they bring into my home. Also, the invented the tubular skylight over 20 years ago and hold patents on pretty much ever part of their system - prisms in the roof dome, the 99.7% reflective surface inside the tube, and the 7 different ceiling fixtures offered. I have NEVER regretted my choice.

Solar Attic Fans Work
 

There is a misperception that the solar attic fans with adjustable panels are the best or work better than other. Not so. My Solar Star solar attic fans (by Solatube) have a static panel mounted into the fan body; however, Solatube has several roof flashings to choose from so that the fan can be mounted for optimal operation. By not having flimsy support legs for their solar panel, Solatube eliminated a potential weak point that could fail. Everyone has an opinion on this topic, but I can say from personal experience that my Solar Star fans have made a HUGE difference in my home with direct impacts to reducing my summertime electric consumption and bills to the power company. Also, the 30% federal tax credit savings were quite a nice bit of money.

http://www.solatubemarketing.com/sol.../rm_1600_2.jpg
http://www.solatubemarketing.com/sol...lowprofile.jpg
http://www.solatubemarketing.com/solar_star/pitched.jpg
http://www.solatubemarketing.com/sol...ighprofile.jpg

If you are building, would this be an option thru TV? Or is it necessary to have another company do this for you as an after item addition? Who would you suggest do the installation?

Please keep in mind not all installers understand solar, in this area these are the optimum angles of any panel, ideal is to adjust 4 times a year but we are speaking of summer attic fans here.

Figures shown in degrees from vertical in red are the hot months
Jan 46°
Feb 54°
Mar 62°
Apr 70°
May 78°
June 86°
Jul 78
Aug 70°
Sep 62°
Oct 54°
Nov 46°
Dec 38°

In June the panel is almost flat & Oct 54, or 70° is a good average if fixed.

So if your installer has a protractor it is simple to figure.

And it needs to be a south facing part of the roof.


.I didn't know they had fixed mounts for different angles, nice if done correctly?

thanks
 

:smiley:Jimbo Thanks for the great informatin you have provided on this site. It is helpfull to me and I know to others also. :wave:

I agree. The argument about drawing air from the near bye vent so the solar fan is a waste of money is not valid either. And this guy is/was a home inspector? A study in thermal dynamics works better. Or Hot air rises.

Thanks Car, first response to my post. He was a highly recommended inspector on TOTV, but I kinda hope that he is mistaken about the fans. I want to cool the attic, and particularly to cool the garage for the workshop.

Also, do you think that the radiant heat barrier can be as effective if installed in an existing home? It looks to me that there are many obstacles and inaccessible spots up there.

Yes it should be, it can be stapled across the roof rafters or between them, just think of them as reflector.

Sold at HD

http://www.radiantbarrierguru.com/wp...stallation.jpg

Easy DIY for less than $200

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/N0-YD32ujYY/0.jpg

Does this affect the life of the roofing?

I read;


"Testing done by the Florida Solar Energy Center has shown that roof shingle temperatures do increase between 5 and 10°F when radiant barriers are installed under the roof deck. The color of asphalt shingles has more of an effect on shingle temperature than the presence of a radiant barrier. No shingle manufacturer limits their warranty when combined with a radiant barrier in the roof system."

Are the tubes and fan eligible for federal tax credit? Or just one or the other? We are thinking about putting in six-two bathrooms, one hallway, over Kitchen Island, in living room and parallel to living room in walkway space, as well as the fan. Any disadvantages to solar tubes, i.e. is it ever too much light?

Thanks for the info.

What about installing a vent fan in the ceiling of the garage and exhausting it into the attic? Has anyone done this? Did you also install vents in the garage door to promote circulation?

I think that's a big fire risk, go thru roof with duct

yes, I think so but double check, the tax credit is off your taxes not income, so it's dollar for dollar.

Don't get that many, buy one & see what you think.

disadvantage is a slight loss of heat/cool from ceiling penetration, lightning will be showing flashes at night

Jane, FWIW from The Solar Guys web site:

THE SOLAR GUYS | SOLAR STAR | TAX CREDIT

For confirmation, check with a tax person or the IRS.

Bill :)

Oh yes, I will check with a tax person, silly me, I am married to a CPA!!!!

Ha-ha!! Husbands...........they're sooooo easy to forget, right?

:jester:

Bill :)

Watch out for mis information
 

That was with the old system that was nailed to the roof, new systems are stapled to the rafters and Florida Roofing and Florida Energy audits showed no danger to any roofing material. When radiant barrier was properly installed by a certified insulation company. Abshire in TV is certified. I trusted my builder. What do you think of Radiant barrier? His answer I Love it it is my home and most green homes now built. Question why does the villages not allow it in a new construction. Answer- Can't make the huge mark up they used to do it. If radiant was bad you would not see it promoted on out Seco Energy Web Site.

Builder Recommended
 

Did my home work for months on radiant barrier. When to sites, talked with college green home programs that have experimented with it. Talked to Seco our Fla energy company. Talked to roofing contractors and suppliers. All was positive feedback excet from people that hate it on TOTV. And those you can never win over. I was a immediate drop in the attic. It still gets warm up there but 30 degrees cooler. The Solar Guys endorced the barrier and because of it I did not have to spend money on three large solar fans. One was sufficient. I installed it as a make me feel good vs gotta have it., Jimbo is correct with it you can forget a Solar Fan with radiant. For the money I feel great knowing it is working for free even on cloudy days.

Only bad part of TV is not letting the radiant insulation crews in your home while under construction. It would save us labor!!