How to Install a Triangle Whole House Fan

Select a location for the whole house fan. The fan should be near the center of the house for best results. Triangle whole house fans may be placed in a hallway, but the manufacturer recommends a hallway with a minimum width of 32 inches for the 24 inch fan. A minimum hallway width of 35 inches is recommended for the 30 inch fan.

Examine the part of the attic directly above where the fan will be placed. There must be clear space above the unit. This clear space must be at least equal in diameter to the blade of the fan that will be installed. Check to make sure that the area the fan will be placed is free of obstructions such as pipes and wires. Remove the insulation from this area after determining the precise location of the fan.

Select a joist that will be the on the fan's center line. Make a template out of cardboard using the dimensions listed on the box your fan's shutter came in. Place the template against the left side of the joist that you selected as a center line. Trace around the template with a pencil. Place the template against the right side of the center line joist. Make sure that the top and bottom of the template are lined up with the pencil lines already marked on the left side of the joist. Trace around the template with a pencil.

Drill a small hole at every corner of each marked area. This will provide a total of eight holes, four on each side of the center line joist. Leave the attic and return to the room or hallway where the fan will be installed. Locate the holes that have been drilled and make sure that they are correctly positioned for where the fan will be located.

Cut the ceiling with a sheet rock saw. Cut from one drilled hole to the other, avoiding the ceiling material covering the joist that has been chosen as a center line. This will leave two rectangular holes in the ceiling. Lift the fan into the attic through one of these holes, and return to the attic.

Cut two pieces of 1-by-2 inch wood and of sufficient length to span three joists. Measure 6 inches in from one side of the holes and mark it with a pencil. Place one piece of wood at this mark and nail it to each joist. Measure 6 inches in from the other side of the holes, and mark it with a pencil. Place the other piece of wood at this mark and nail it to each joist. Attach the fan assembly to the wooden strapping using the screws, washers and isolation mounts sold with the fan. The rubber isolation mounts go in between the fan assembly and the strapping.

Turn off the power for the circuit the fan will be installed on at the fuse box or circuit breaker. Use the wiring diagram provided with fan to finish the electrical installation. Make sure to check all local building and electrical codes before attempting this step. It is also vital to make sure that the fan blades are free of any obstruction before turning the power back on, as the switch may be in the "on" position.

Cut the plenum to fit your ceiling joists at the premarked openings. Mount the plenum on the deck using the screws and washers provided with the fan. Staple the plenum to the ceiling joists. Replace the insulation removed previously until it is at the edge of the plenum, and cover any holes using duct tape. Screw down the shutter into the holes in the ceiling using the screws included with the shutter. Push the pull chain through the hole in the shutter. Cut the chain to the desired length.