During the summer there is always a benefit to a cooler attic.
Leave attic fan off in summer.
The attic has about 2 3 of blown in cellulose is pitched i don t know the pitch but it s about average for a typical suburban house and has a gable vent on each end l shaped house.
Simpler fan models generally have on off switches or dials that allow you to run the fan for a specified amount of time such as 15 minutes.
With an attic fan that switches on appropriately when the attic reaches a specific degree somewhere between 105 120 degrees fahrenheit it serves to push the hot air out of the house and to help cool your home the upstairs.
When your fan is set to auto moisture from cold cooling coils can drip and be drained outside.
Because of the attic s location it is always a hotter part of the house.
There is better dehumidification in your home during the summer months.
The home s orientation to the sun location of shade trees and quality of windows insulation and attic ventilation are just a few factors that can influence your indoor air temperature.
Ventilation fans or powered attic ventilators are designed to cool the attic pushing out the hot attic air and rushing in a flow of cool outside air.
Great question and very timely for the hot summer months.
Most commonly that means traveling down into your home where it can impede the air conditioner s already challenging job.
Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans.
The attic fan consumes much more electricity than any possible saving from reduced air conditioner run time.
Operation operating an attic fan is simple.
The fan only runs when the system is on and not continuously.
I recently bought a house that has an attic fan on a thermostat that seems to run whenever the outside temperature gets above about 70.
The house was constructed in 1958 and is 2x6 wood frame on 16 centers.
Attic fans are designed and installed to switch on via a thermometer when the temperature in a house reaches a certain point.
Whole house fans work on the principle of removing the hot and humid air out of the house.
The warm air escapes through the attic and to the attic vents allowing the circulation of chilly air from the windows.
Even so you can implement a few relatively easy tips to live more comfortably amid summer temps and maybe save money in the process.
As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in.
That s why the energy required to run an attic fan is wasted.
Keeping your fan on auto is the most energy efficient option.
Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed.
