Are you a homeowner in Middle Tennessee looking for ways to make your home more energy efficient and cut down on energy costs? If so, then maybe you’ve considered adding an attic fan to your space. Attic fans can be a great addition to homes because they support your HVAC system, improve energy efficiency, and prolong your roof’s lifespan by preventing mold from forming and building up.

Having the professionals here at Pettit Heating and Cooling install an attic fan in your home can be a great low-cost option to help you improve your home’s overall comfort level, as well as save money on costly repairs down the road that can arise from issues like ice dams, mold growth, and roof damage. 

If you’re considering adding an attic fan to your home, it’s important to understand how they work, the potential drawbacks of having one, and most importantly, the benefits they bring so you can make the best decision for your home.

What Is An Attic Fan?

An attic fan is a special type of fan designed to be installed in the attic of your home. The purpose of an attic fan is to help provide more ventilation, so that the hot, humid air that is typically trapped in this space is pushed out of your home. Attic fans not only push hot air out of your attic, they replace that hot air with cooler air, which is what helps your home feel cooler overall. Attic fans also help your HVAC system to not have to work so hard to keep your home cool.

Why Should I Consider An Attic Fan?

As a homeowner in Middle Tennessee, you know that hot, humid summers are a fact of life. Because of this, ensuring your home’s HVAC system can efficiently keep your home cool and comfortable is a must. If you have noticed that your HVAC system hasn’t been able to keep your home as cool and comfortable as you would like, adding an attic fan could be an efficient and cost-effective way to get this need addressed.

Adding an attic fan brings several benefits to your home including:

  • Lower Temperatures: Since your attic fan is helping to move hot air out and cool air in, it keeps your home cooler.
  • Improves Energy Efficiency: Not only are attic fans extremely energy efficient themselves, they increase the energy efficiency of your home since your HVAC system will not have to run as often to keep your home cool. 
  • Prolongs the Life of your HVAC System: Your attic fan works with your HVAC system to keep your home cool. Since your attic fan is sharing the workload with your HVAC systems you can expect to get more years out of it, especially with regular maintenance and inspections from Pettit Heating & Cooling.
  • Extends Roof Life: Attics tend to be hot and humid which can be an ideal environment for mold growth. The added ventilation and air circulation from an attic fan will help to reduce the chances of that happening which helps to protect the integrity of your roof.

Potential Attic Fan Drawbacks To Consider – Are They Dangerous?

So, here’s the big questions – are attic fans dangerous? And the quick answer is no – not as long as you trust a professional for installation and maintenance. Proper installation of an attic fan system is crucial to ensuring that it operates properly. Along with proper installation, attic fans will be the most effective if your home’s attic insulation is in good condition.

Other drawbacks include the initial cost to install an attic system; it can be expensive and adding one of these systems will not replace your home’s air conditioning system. 

If you are considering having an attic fan installed, have questions about the efficiency of your attic fan, or are concerned about potential vent issues, the professionals at Pettit Heating & Cooling are standing by, ready and help to assess your situation and find the best solution for your needs.

Call today at 615-654-0814 or reach out online to discuss other ways to improve indoor air quality, as well as address any other HVAC needs. Our professional experts are certified, experienced, and have the answers you’re looking for.