5 Questions You Must Ask When Buying An Attic Vent Fan

With the market quickly becoming saturated with so many different
types of attic vent fans, it is easy to see why trying to choose the
right one could quickly become an overwhelming experience. To make the
buying process less complicated and to ensure you end up with the
ventilation system that is going to work best for your needs, we
wanted to provide some helpful tips on what to look for when searching
for an attic fan for the home.House Fan vs Attic Fan?Okay, everyone
knows the best solar powered system would offer quiet operation, be
easy to install, and keep the temperature of the attic comfortable.
However, to purchase the right ventilation system, you need to look
deeper. One thing to consider is the confusion of what this type of
fan is, as well as its purpose. Many homeowners get confused thinking
that a fan for the attic is the same as a house fan. However, the two
are very different. While the house fan's purpose is to maintain the
interior temperature of the home according to what the thermostat
setting, the vent fan is designed solely for the attic, providing
ventilation, drawing out hot air, and preventing moisture build
up.Electric Or Solar?For this type of solar attic exhaust fan, you
could choose from one that operates on electricity and one on solar
power. Of the two, the latter is by far the most popular due to the
tremendous cost savings, and it being an environmentally friendly
solution. For equipment that runs on electricity, it is highly
recommended you have a roof mounted design be installed by a
professional because of potential for water leakage. For a solar
powered ventilation system, look for a fan that comes with a 25-year
warranty, which is now considered a standard
offering.Thermostat?Although optional, we also recommend that you
choose a vent fan with a thermostat. You could purchase this as an
add-on later but with all the benefits provided and with the
thermostat being so cheap, it would be worth getting it from the
start. Another thing you will discover is that most of the solar
panels designed for this type of ventilation system are available in a
10 or 20-watt option. While 10-watt is fine, you would likely benefit
more by choosing the 20-watt panel.Installation?Another consideration
would be installation. Today, many home products are now designed so
the homeowner can complete the installation process. The same is true
when it comes to fans to help vent the attic. However, one of the
easiest options is the gable fan, which also works great. Therefore,
if you plan to do the installation yourself, we suggest you look at
this particular type of fan or at least, gain a full understanding of
the time and process involved for installing other fan
designs.Materials?Finally, the materials and workmanship should also
be a consideration when looking at options for an attic vent fan.
Obviously, you want equipment made with high quality metal and fans to
be designed and manufactured by true professionals. A perfect example
of this would be the way the bearings and blades are incorporated in
the design. For fans that have sealed bearings and blades that are
securely welded in place, not only would you enjoy quieter operation
but this design feature would also mean less wear and tear, thereby,
longer life.