An attic fan can be installed to help circulate the air under your roof and prevent the attic from overheating. The fan does this by sucking the hot and humid air inside your attic and pushing it outside to allow cooler air to come in.
Attics that don’t have enough natural ventilation can benefit largely from the installation of an attic fan.
You can even install a solar attic fan so it doesn’t add to your electricity bills. With an attic fan, your HVAC might not need to work overtime just to keep your indoors cool.
Your attic can reach temperatures exceeding 160 degrees in the summer. Imagine how that affects your indoor comfort as well as the health of your entire roofing system.
Can You Install an Attic Fan at Home by Yourself?
You probably can if you’re handy with tools, but it’s a good idea to hire an attic fan installer or attic ventilation contractor to install your attic fan. While not too technical, attic fan installation does involve different factors and it’s easy for an untrained homeowner to make mistakes that might lead to costly do-overs. If your fan runs on electricity, you also run the risk of getting electrocuted or starting a fire. Think about your safety and peace of mind; call a pro to do it.
Home Attic Fan Ventilation Mistakes to Avoid
There are ways to do this right, even when all you’re doing is using the attic fan after it’s been installed by a trained technician. Here are some mistakes to avoid:
- Using Different Types of Exhaust Vents. It’s a bad idea to do this because it might lead to a short-circuit in the ventilation system. This will make the system less efficient and more prone to air leaks. The ventilation in your attic will also be uneven.
- Using Exhaust Vents as Intake Vents. An inexperienced homeowner might install the exhaust vent low on the roof, using it as an intake vent. This is worse than doing nothing at all as it will make your roof more prone to leaks and damage.
- Cutting the Wrong Hole Size. Roof vents vary in size and also in how you install them. Not knowing which size to use can lead to failure.
- Covering Wind Turbines. Many people think it’s a good idea to cover wind roof turbines when winter comes, but it’s the opposite. The turbines release water vapor coming from the indoors during cold weather, so they shouldn’t be bagged.
In Central Oregon, Master Flow power attic vents and solar fans are highly recommended.
You should hire an attic ventilation contractor to install them. Get in touch with Deschutes Roofing & Insulation. We specialize in attic insulation and ventilation. Call us in Bend: (541) 241-5720, Portland: (503) 967-9590, Eugene: (541) 246-6860, Lake Oswego: (503) 468-7663, or Beaverton: (503) 928-8750. You can also use this form to contact us for a free estimate.
