• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Anyone in the north here have a whole house fan?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

No Lifer
Does it work nice in the summer to keep the house cool, and does it seal properly in winter to avoid heat loss? I know some of them have insulated doors that close when the fan is off, and open then the fan is on, but do they really work well?

I'm considering getting one and installing it myself, they just seem like a new concept that's not too much explored but especially for my climate it seems like a great idea. At night the temp will drop near zero, so I think it would be a fast way to cool off the house in the summer. I'm just worried it may be a problem in winter if it does not air seal properly.

Anyone have experience with these? (not looking at any particular brand at this point but I'll probably want something Canada made that I can buy locally, if possible)
 
I think ours worked when we got our house; eventually it died for some unknown reason. It was very noisy, but it didn't do such a bad job of moving hot air out of the house. Ours vented into the attic, I think, so the insulation problem was not nearly as bad. I don't know if or how it sealed when the weather got cold, though.
 
How is your attic laid out?
If you have proper vents in the gables or ridge venting it should work fine.
Usually a large belt driven fan is installed between the ceiling framing (rafters?) and a switch wired to a convenient place. Turning on the fan draws air from the house creating a negative pressure. This is satisfied by opening windows in your living spaces. Cooler air comes in through the windows on windless nights. The fan pressurizes the attic and the warmer air goes out your gable openings and/or ridge vents.

The louvered opening will close when the fan is not being used so cold air is not an issue in the winter. On a windy day if you open a door the louvers may open momentarily but that is normal and does not hurt anything.

Power savings over using air conditioning is good. If rumbling noise bothers you and there is a bedroom near where the fan is installed it may cause you to have difficulty sleeping.

Oh if you walk around your attic beware that the fan will be right where it can chop your legs! 😉
 
I have one.
Lived in my house for 3 years and used it once. Its loud plus i live on a dirt road. Negative pressure + dirt road and open windows... Yeah needless to say i dont use it anymore.
 
Rubycon said:
The louvered opening will close when the fan is not being used so cold air is not an issue in the winter. On a windy day if you open a door the louvers may open momentarily but that is normal and does not hurt anything.
Click to expand...

even a closed louvered opening is pretty piss poor in terms of insulation and air infiltration.

What we did was get some DOW blue Styrofoam and layer up about 6-7 inches of it, just a smidge smaller than the 2x10 framed opening for the fan. Edges of the foam block are wrapped in wide, closed cell foam weather stripping. In the fall, unscrew and remove the louver, wedge the block up there, put the louver back up, and then remember to remove it in late spring.
 
I have a split level house, I would most likely install it on the top most attic (There is two attics) though if I could get a sideways model (don't even know if they make those) I would install it in the lower attic just above the stairs on the wall. I have two "venmar" vents (something like this) + vented sofits, so I should be ok as far as ventilation.

I've also seen some where the motor part can be hung on the rafters and there is a big duct that goes to the actual opening, so this would be my preference but it all depends on what I can find and what is affordable.
 
You can always put the entire fan in the attic and run a flex line to the ceiling. You would need to build a box/collar to fit the fan (1hp squirrel cage blower from a five ton air handler does nice!) and have cut outs for your flex duct.

This way it can be multizoned, etc. If you went this route a multiple speed motor would be a good idea so you don't have excessive whistling, etc.
 
not new at all, have been around since at least the 70s. Can be great if your house is laid out right to centrally locate it for even draw. You are correct that you want to make sure you get one with well insulated vanes.
 
We have a 2 story farm house built in 1879. I have ours installed between the rafters right at the top of the stairs. Here in NW Indiana, we have 90 degree days and 65 degree nights and our fan cools it beautifully in the evenings. It cools 2 ways: It gets the hot air out of the attic and it also brings in fresh air from the far sides of the house. I would not have a house without one now.

It really cuts down on our A/C usage. Our house is insulated enough that it only gets up into the high 70's in the house until I turn the fan back on again in the evening. Ours is belt driven and a little quieter than direct drive. We don't mind the noise at all.

In the winter I just throw a square of R-19 insulation over it and remove it in the spring.

Bob
 
If you live somewhere where the temp drops at night, they are fantastic. In winter, you go up to the attic and put a blanket over it...
 
Works great and I would even install one in a one story ranch when we get one. Cirrently in a two story and love it.

Cover it in the winter and don't worry avout it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top