Lorain’s summer highs can reach more than 80 degrees, and when they do, the temperatures in your attic can climb to 120 degrees. By controlling that heat, an attic fan benefits both you and your home.
Increase Energy Efficiency
Attic fans work by drawing excess heat and humidity out of the attic, which creates constant airflow that pulls in cooler outdoor air through the soffit and gable vents. When run during the hottest part of the day, an attic fan benefits you by lowering the temperature in your attic by as much as 50 degrees. That means less heat radiates down into your home, so the rest of your living space stays as much as 10 degrees cooler. This is particularly true for your second floor. A cooler living space means less need for air conditioning, which saves you money. Most electric fans run on less that 300 watts, and solar attic fans, although less powerful, cost nothing to run.
Improved Roof and Insulation Life Span
Extreme heat and humidity gradually break down the building material in your roof, including the insulation, drywall, ducts, and joists. It can compress insulation and warp wood, as well as dry out caulk, leading to air leaks. It can also damage things you might have stored there, including furniture and clothing. An attic fan benefits everything in your attic by lowering the temperature and humidity to less harmful levels.
An attic fan benefits your home even when it’s not cooling. In winter, when warm air from your home rises into your cold attic, it can form condensation. An attic fan removes this moisture before it has a chance to damage your attic and feed mold.
Attic fans don’t work alone, though. They help only when properly sized and paired with sufficient soffit vents, good insulation, and air sealing — and possibly a radiant barrier. An oversized fan does more harm than good by causing a backdraft of fumes from combustion appliances.
To learn more about year-round attic-fan benefits, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning in the Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin, and Amherst areas.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area