Would Your Middle Tennessee Home Benefit From an Attic Fan? Give Us a Call
If you’ve walked into your attic at the height of summer, you know how humid and hot these spaces can get – it’s like hitting a wall of warm, stale air. That said, for most, the rest of their home isn’t so insufferable thanks to a well-working air conditioner.
What many don’t realize, though, is that their A/C unit is forced to work a lot harder to combat the heat produced in this stuffy space – which leads to higher energy bills and more wear on the system as a whole.
Fortunately, we can combat these issues with our attic fan installation services. Reach out today – we’re here to meet the heating and cooling needs of people all throughout the Sumner County area. We serve Belle Meade, Cross Plains, East Nashville, Goodlettsville, and more.
What Is an Attic Fan?
It’s all in the name – an attic fan is a fan that’s installed into the ceiling of your attic. Its main purpose is to increase ventilation in this notoriously stuffy and humid space, making the job of your air conditioner a lot easier on those hot summer days.
It can also work to keep your insulation drier in the winter, ensuring your heating system isn’t putting in overtime either.
What Does an Attic Fan Do? How Does It Work?
So, we’ve explained what an attic fan is, but what does it do? And how exactly does it all work?
Essentially, an attic fan will push all that hot air in your attic out, while simultaneously working to pull cool outside air in. This process cools the attic, which then helps to cool the living space below – and ensure your A/C unit isn’t wasting energy cooling off this notoriously stuffy pace.
All of that results in an HVAC system that doesn’t die out prematurely, a lower chance of needing repairs down the line, a more comfortable living space for you and your household, and lower monthly energy bills.
Are Attic Fans Dangerous?
As with any new system installed into your home, you might be wondering if installing an attic fan comes with any risks. Here are some of the more common questions we get asked in regards to this.
Can attic fans start fires?
Attic fans are run electrically, which means that, yes – there is a chance they could cause a fire to start. That said, this should only happen if the fan is defective or if the wiring attached to it is loose or faulty.
The good news is, potential fires can be avoided by investing in regular inspections, investing in a quality fan from the get-go, trusting an expert for installation and maintenance services, and by using and maintaining the fan appropriately, per the manufacturer’s instructions.
In the end, this isn’t something to simply have installed and forget about. We get that most things in the attic go untouched and unbothered for years on end, but when it comes to your attic fans, regular maintenance – completed by a professional – is key.
Can attic fans cause mold to form?
When dealing with anything HVAC-related, finding a balance in air humidity levels is important. Dry air isn’t good for anyone, and if too much moisture is present, you’ll have problems too, like health issues and – you guessed it – mold growth.
This is another reason why using the fan properly and investing in professional care and maintenance is so vital. If used correctly, attic fans can actually help reduce the likelihood of mold growth.
Can attic fans spread carbon monoxide?
Attic fans have been known to spread carbon monoxide throughout your home if you have a gas or propane water heater or furnace. The good news here is that if you invest in one of our solar power fans, these don’t tend to carry enough power to do this.
And if your attic fan isn’t solar powered, this risk can typically be avoided by operating the system appropriately and following the guidelines and instructions that initially came with it. That said, we strongly urge all homeowners to invest in carbon monoxide detectors throughout their home to avoid exposure to this notoriously harmful – and hard-to-detect gas.
Can attic fans trigger health issues?
As stated above, attic fans can invite dampness and mold growth – both of which can kickstart health issues or cause allergies or asthma to worsen – if they aren’t used appropriately. That said, if used correctly, it should do just the opposite by ensuring your home’s humidity levels stay balanced and your indoor air stays cleaner.
Why Is My Attic Fan Not Working?
Problems with your attic fan not performing like it’s supposed to? Here’s what could be causing issues:
- Problems with the power supply. Is the fan properly connected? Did the circuit break trip or could it be a blown fuse? These are all things worth exploring – and they should all be a relatively easy thing to fix.
- Problems with the motor. Like with most appliances, the motor of your fan can wear out over time and stop working. In these cases, you may be able to replace the motor itself, or it may be time to replace the entire fan altogether.
- Problems with wiring. Do you think it could be the fault of damaged or loose wiring? If it’s an electrical issue, be sure to reach out to a qualified tech to look things over and suggest solutions.
- Problems with the thermostat. Sometimes it’s best to check if the issue lies at the source. Could the thermostat be causing problems? Check to make sure it’s set appropriately and that it doesn’t need new batteries.
- Problems with the surroundings. Are there obstructions getting in the way of your fan or has dirt or dust built up around it? Make sure the surrounding area is clear, so your fan can run as effectively as possible.
Still can’t seem to narrow down the issue? Give us a call, and we’ll look things over. Rest assured, our educated and experienced crew will get to the bottom of things and get you back to where you need to be.
Where’s the Best Place to Install My Attic Fan?
Attic fans should be installed near the peak of the roof, as long as this will allow for good air circulation. What’s most important is proper ventilation, so that hot air can effectively escape and cool air from below can easily enter. Proper ventilation also helps to keep humidity levels in check, which reduces the likelihood of mold forming or moisture-related damages from occurring.
You’ll also want to ensure the fan won’t interfere with anything surrounding, such as ductwork, wiring, pipes, chimneys, or the like. Finally, you’ll need to ensure all building codes and regulations are followed based on where you live.
What’s best is to consult with an expert technician who can evaluate your space, then make recommendations as to where your attic fan would best be placed.
Do I Need 1 or 2 Attic Fans?
It depends. Most average-sized homes require only one, but if your attic is over 1200 square feet or has multiple levels, you may want to consider adding an additional one.
Other things that may affect how many fans you need?
The climate of your area
Whether or not your attic is insulated
The level of air leakage in the space
Should I just install 2 attic fans to play it safe?
Some figure – why not install 2 fans from the start, so I’m definitely good to go? This isn’t recommended, either. Too many fans can create negative pressure that draws A/C from your home and might even encourage the spread of carbon monoxide. In addition to this, it could increase moisture levels, causing damage to your attic and roof.
In the end, matching up the number of attic fans you own with your unique needs and setup is important, and we’d be happy to help you get where you need to be.
When Should I Turn Off My Attic Fan?
In the spring and summer months, how often you run your attic fan will depend more on what the weather is doing outside. On cooler spring days, you may not need it quite as much, but the hot days of summer would benefit from more frequent attic fan use. If the temp drops quite a bit in the evenings, then you could potentially turn it off then, as well, but you may be more comfortable if it runs through the night.
As for fall and winter, many assume they won’t need their attic fan on at all. That said, there can be many benefits to keeping it running during this cooler time of year. For instance, it can keep your insulation dry and protected, so your home stays adequately heated, and it can prevent potential roofing damage by keeping moisture levels in check too.
The times it’s recommended to turn off your attic fan is during higher humidity days and anytime there are extremes in weather – think high winds, heavy rains, extreme cold, etc. – as this can trigger more damage in the long run.
Are Attic Fans Noisy?
Attic fans might produce some noise, but shouldn’t be exceptionally noisy unless bigger issues are afoot.
Some things that might affect the noise level of your attic fan include:
- Imbalanced or bent blades: If your blades seem to have taken on some damage, you can replace them – and doing so is always less expensive than installing an entirely new fan. If your fan is on the younger side, this might be the best option.
- A loose mount: If the mount itself isn’t tight enough, the fan won’t be steady and will be bound to make plenty of noise. In these cases, it won’t be functioning as safely or effectively either, so a quick fix is imperative.
- Noisy fan motor: Some motors are noisier than others, and it could be that yours needs some lubrication. In other cases, it may need to be replaced by a model that’s more suited to your fan type and size.
- Low quality installation: If the fan wasn’t installed correctly from the start, you’ll have a number of issues, and higher noise levels may be one of them.
- End of lifespan: In general, most attic fans last around 10 years, give or take a few years depending on how well it’s maintained. If yours is at the end of its lifespan, it may be time to upgrade to a newer, less-noisy option.
Need attic fan repair or installation assistance? We’d be happy to lend a helping hand to homeowners all throughout the Sumner County area. Give us a call today, so we can get started.
Do Attic Fans Increase Energy Costs?
Attic fans are put in place to lower energy costs, not raise them. That said, if used inappropriately, an increase may be noted, in which case evaluating how it’s being used and whether or not it’s being used appropriately is a good idea.
All in all, an attic fan should help circulate the air in your home and keep your attic space cooler, thus taking pressure off of your air conditioning system, and encouraging money savings over time.
We Install York® Attic Fans
Our York® attic fans are a great way to get your home running more efficiently in both the summer and the winter. We offer and install these top-of-the-line attic fan systems so you can get the most out of your heating and cooling system – minimizing the likelihood of repairs and expanding its lifespan significantly.
We’re the Best in the Business
No matter your HVAC-related needs, our experts are here to help. Rely on us for heating and cooling repairs, HVAC installation services, indoor air quality solutions, and more. We’d love to have your back every step of the way.
Interested in a maintenance plan? We’ve got those too. In need of financing options? No problem – we’re here to help you out. When it comes to meeting the heating and cooling needs of those in Green Hills, Germantown, Hendersonville, Springfield, White House, and all of the areas surrounding, we’re the team to trust for it all.
Call 615-654-0814 or schedule your next appointment online today.
Don’t wait for the heat of summer to call us about your air conditioning needs. Our heating and cooling experts are standing by to help now.