Can You Use a Solar Attic Fan With a Vented House?

Identification

• Solar attic fans use energy from the sun to power your attic fan. These fans are installed in the roof and are run by solar panels that generate direct current electricity which powers the fan. Solar attic fans are fairly easy to install and do not require electrical wires to be run throughout your attic. The purpose of a solar attic fan is to move hot air out of your attic, keeping temperatures lower and reducing energy consumption. For solar attic fans to work effectively, proper attic ventilation is a must.

Ventilation Benefits

• Proper attic ventilation allows hot attic air to escape through soffit vents, which keeps your attic cooler. The number of vents needed depends on how large your home is, but most attics should have 1 sq. ft. of roof vent per every 300 sq. ft. of attic space. Attic vents are mounted high on your roof and soffit vents on the lower roof are placed under the eaves in the soffit. This allows the hot attic air to rise and escape through attic vents, while the lower soffit vents pull cool outdoor air into the attic.

Signs And Symptoms

• Your home will show some signs of damage if your attic does not have adequate ventilation in place. Curling or bulging asphalt roof shingles are a common sign of excessive heat rising through the roof of your home. During cold weather, examine the inside of your attic for signs of moisture. Frost inside your attic is moisture that cannot escape due to inadequate ventilation and can cause structural damage to your roof over time. High summer energy costs are often due to inadequate ventilation inside the attic because high attic temperatures cause your air conditioner to run harder and longer to cool your home.

Installation

• Solar attic fans must be installed on your roof. A hole is cut from the outside, to accommodate the size of the fan. Solar attic fans should be installed in an area on your roof that does not receive any shade or is only shaded for a short period of time each day. After installing your solar attic fan, check your soffit vents for leaf litter or debris. Clogged soffit vents will not draw cool air into your attic, making your solar attic fan less effective.