(!Topic Name="0-product-add-this"!)
Whole House Ventilation Fans Help You Stay Cool and Save Money
It is nearly impossible to turn on the news (or step outside) without being reminded about the heat wave being experienced throughout the US. Many air conditioners are going into overdrive to keep the heat from interfering with everyday life. Typically, during this time of the year, energy costs rise. The extensive use of the AC contributes significantly to that increase since it is the largest consumer of electricity is many homes. However, installing a whole house fan will help give both the AC and your pockets a break from this dreadful heat by reducing your energy bills by up to 50%.
How does this fan work?
A whole house fan operates to drop home temperatures naturally. It is installed in the attic, and cools the building fairly quickly, pulling the cooler air indoors through open windows while exhausting hotter air outside through the attic and the roof. This cools not only the lived-in portion of the house, but provides attic ventilation as well.
The exact amount of air that is exchanged through whole house ventilation fans depends on many factors. These factors include climate, floor plan of the home, and how dependent you will be on the fan. On average, however, these fans provide 30-60 air changes every hour.
When to use the fan
There are a few requirements to keep in mind concerning the use of a whole house fan instead of an air conditioner. The best time to operate this fan is:
- When the temperature outdoors is less than 82 degrees (typically in the evening and at night)
- Relative humidity level is lower than 75 percent
- Temperature outside is lower than the temperature inside
What kind of savings does the fan provide?
In the average home, cooling accounts for approximately 12% of energy costs. Cooling the home naturally as opposed to depending upon the air conditioner greatly brings down both residential energy consumption and energy bills at home. Exact amount of savings depends largely on climate; the more temperate the climate, the more energy and money that can be saved.
Operating whole house ventilation fans using the guidelines above can reduce up to half of home energy use and costs. This reduction in energy use is positive for pockets and the environment. Limiting the amount of energy a home uses also reduces that home's carbon footprint and negative environmental impact.