[jimbo2012]

Aren't yours doors on the west side and the bloc wall on the south the way Amherst goes?

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by Blackie

Environment and Energy News » Best Available Research on Attic Fans and Power Ventilators

Here is a link to one of many articles available on attic fans. Basically there may be more disadvantages than advantages.

It should be noted that this article addresses powered attic ventilator (PAVs) which, of course, use electricity. However, as suggested earlier in this thread, a solar attic fan (and I too recommend the Solar Guys on Hwy 441) uses no electricity; it is just that: solar powered. I can stand on the attic stairs and feel the gentle pull of air up through that fan on a sunny day. I can't say scientifically, but it sure seems to me that this helps keep the attic cooler and hence lower a/c costs. It won't, however, do anything to keep the garage cooler.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by mulligan

By ventilating to the attic, you have voided the fire rating of your garage ceiling.

And your garage may be cooler because the fan is pulling air conditioned air out of your house due to air leaks in the garage ceiling. That's what I read in a former thread on this subject.

[Happinow]

We have taken many steps to assure that our garage is cooler.......we had the garage doors insulated, installed an attic fan, put more insulation in the attic and added insulation to our lanai ceiling as they don't insulate there. Finally, we put an air conditioner in the garage. We keep it at 82 and its wonderful! If we are working outside in the heat and need to cool off its nice to be able to go in the garage instead of coming in the house.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by Happinow

We have taken many steps to assure that our garage is cooler.......we had the garage doors insulated, installed an attic fan, put more insulation in the attic and added insulation to our lanai ceiling as they don't insulate there. Finally, we put an air conditioner in the garage. We keep it at 82 and its wonderful! If we are working outside in the heat and need to cool off its nice to be able to go in the garage instead of coming in the house.

Do you mean a Mitsubishi mini-split, or some other A/C unit?

[Blackie]

Originally Posted by Quixote

It should be noted that this article addresses powered attic ventilator (PAVs) which, of course, use electricity. However, as suggested earlier in this thread, a solar attic fan (and I too recommend the Solar Guys on Hwy 441) uses no electricity; it is just that: solar powered. I can stand on the attic stairs and feel the gentle pull of air up through that fan on a sunny day. I can't say scientifically, but it sure seems to me that this helps keep the attic cooler and hence lower a/c costs. It won't, however, do anything to keep the garage cooler.

The article you are referring to shows a photo of a solar fan and the opening sentence of the article is - "Are solar attic fans worth installing?"

However the point is are attic fans worthwhile regardless of their power source? Many articles say they are not.

However, the first step is to insulate as much as you can. Certainly the door and then the attic space if you can.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by Blackie

The article you are referring to shows a photo of a solar fan and the opening sentence of the article is - "Are solar attic fans worth installing?"

However the point is are attic fans worthwhile regardless of their power source? Many articles say they are not.

However, the first step is to insulate as much as you can. Certainly the door and then the attic space if you can.

The article was confusing, as you point out, in that it shows a picture of a solar fan and it does say "solar attic fans" in the opening sentence. It then goes on to point out that the cost of electricity to operate the attic fan, meaning obviously that it's not solar, could outweigh the cost of electricity saved. Huh?

It may be argued either way: that there IS a benefit, or that there ISN'T. However, if indeed it can be measured accurately and it turns out to be the latter, it certainly is not for the reason cited, that is, the cost of electricity, since no electricity is used operating a solar-powered fan! The one thing I do know—and granted it is subjective—is that both attic and garage feel not as hot, FWIW.

[Happinow]

Mitsubishi .....not sure it's a mini-split. Says slim on the front. Cools well. Keep the garage at 82.

[telder]

Change out your old hot water tank which in the garage with a new style heat pump water tank because the heat pump puts out cold air as it heats the water -- doing double duty as an air conditioner this will keep the garage cooler.

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by mulligan

By ventilating to the attic, you have voided the fire rating of your garage ceiling.

That is very interesting . A lot of folks are trying different methods of taking the heat out, but not realizing how it might be harmful to their home. Has anyone had the door insulated and the ceiling insulated. Did it make it any cooler?

[jimbo2012]

I think the safe solution is not exhausting the attic, the article cited above is likely correct it pulls air out of the A/C 'd part of the house.

I was about to install a solar fan, I nixed that idea.

the attic door should not have a grille or be left open, surprised a retired fireman hasn't jumped in on that issue, It would feed O2 into the flames.

Been thinking about taking an exhaust fan from the garage ceiling and ducting it thu the roof.

Much like your stove / microwave is done or bath fan.

they R under $100, safe and you would only be taking the air out of the garage space.

Tommy, insulating the ceiling and door must have a positive effect but how many years to recoup that investment?

[DaveNKath]

I had insulation (R30)blown in my garage ceiling yesterday. Temp yesterday inside 96, temp today a cool 94. I additionally added a 54in ceiling fan in the garage, hence cool 94 Ha. My money is on finding an a/c unit like Happinow a couple of posts updid.

[jimbo2012]

So it was a waste of $$, is that what you are saying?

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by kathyc

I had insulation (R30)blown in my garage ceiling yesterday. Temp yesterday inside 96, temp today a cool 94. I additionally added a 54in ceiling fan in the garage, hence cool 94 Ha. My money is on finding an a/c unit like Happinow a couple of posts updid.

Which way does your door face? Did you insulate it?

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

I think the safe solution is not exhausting the attic, the article cited above is likely correct it pulls air out of the A/C 'd part of the house.

I was about to install a solar fan, I nixed that idea.

the attic door should not have a grille or be left open, surprised a retired fireman hasn't jumped in on that issue, It would feed O2 into the flames.

Been thinking about taking an exhaust fan from the garage ceiling and ducting it thu the roof.

Much like your stove / microwave is done or bath fan.

they R under $100, safe and you would only be taking the air out of the garage space.

Tommy, insulating the ceiling and door must have a positive effect but how many years to recoup that investment?

I like this idea.