Solar
Products
Solar Attic Fans
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According to The Home
Ventilation Institute studies,
powered attic vents can save up to 30% in cooling needs. The
National bureau of standards
stated that “attics can be 40° hotter than the
outside air.” Attic Spaces can get up to 150ºF! This heat can
back-up into your living spaces. Any home with an attic space
(walk-in or crawl space), that is unheated in the winter, needs an
attic fan to expel dollar-robbing heat collected during summer days.
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Solar attic fans are typically mounted high on the roof towards the
back of the house. They fit in with the shingles and are water-proof.
If installed with a thermostat, the
solar attic fan turns on and off automatically at the preset
temperatures. It blows out super-hot attic air while drawing in
cooler air from outside. Attic fans come in different sizes. Bigger
is not necessarily better. Smaller fans can still cover up to 2000
square feet of attic floor. Static vents for air intake are
important since a balanced Installation will prevent the solar attic
fan robbing already-cooled air from the house. |
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For example,
Case #1: A 2,500
square foot attic at 150 degrees without a solar attic vent, where
the living space is at 80 degrees, leaks approximately 4,000Btu/hr
into the living space.
Case #1: A 2,500
square foot attic at 90 degrees due to a solar attic vent, where the
living space is at 70 degrees, only leaks approximately 66Btu/hr
into the living space.
Conclusion: If you
have a passive attic fan, cooling your home may require approximately
an additional 1/3 ton of air conditioning to keep your living space at
a comfortable or desired temperature.
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Economics?
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Solar Attic Fan |
Electric Attic Fan |
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The solar attic fan, on the
roof has its own built-in power supply. Compare the cost of the
solar attic fan to a conventional attic fan, you will see how the
solar attic fan pays for itself in no time! |
In the summer, a conventional
electric attic fan can add up to $5 per month to your bill.
Conventional fans must also be wired into your home by a licensed
electrician which means electrical permits, inspections, and other
added expenses. |
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Fan Hardware = $300 (retail) |
Fan Hardware = $120 |
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Cost of Electrician = $0 |
Electrical Installation =
$225 |
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Fan Installation = $250 |
Fan Installation = $225.00 |
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Electrical Usage 24 Months =
$0 |
Electricity Usage 24 Months =
$5/month
(240 Watts/Day which equals $120) |
| Noise
Problems = None |
Noise
Problems - Moderate |
| Comparison
Totals (Over 24 Months) = $550 |
Comparison
Totals (Over 24 Months) = $690 |
| After 36
months = $0 |
After 36
months = $60 |
| After 60
months = $0 |
After 60
months = $180 |
In Summary: Why Attic
Ventilation Is Necessary?
During the Summer Season:
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Temperatures soar to 150
degrees.
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Prevents attic from becoming
a HOT BOX.
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Eliminates hot moist air
which can warp boards.
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Stops shingles from
premature deterioration.
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Removes unwanted heat that
spills down through the attic floor into the living area.
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Reduces energy costs for
cooling.
During the Winter Season:
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Moisture reduction which
helps eliminate damage to insulation, rafters and wood.
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Proper ventilation helps
prevent moisture from condensing.
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Helps to prevent moisture
soaked insulation which becomes ineffective, thereby causing
excess energy
usage.
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Prevents the attic from
overheating which eliminates ice dams at the roof edge.
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Reduces energy cost for
heating.
Sources: The National Bureau
of Standards, The Home Ventilation Institute, www.betterinsulation.com.
To download
this page in portable document format (PDF) please clik on the following
link Solar Attic Fan.
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