Solar Attic Fan - The Benefits

Posted by | Posted on 12:55 AM

By Tim McDonald

Are you currently using an electric attic fan or some sort of electric ventilation system at home? Then have you ever thought of installing a solar attic fan? When most people think of solar products, they immediately think "expensive!", but when we investigated getting a solar powered attic fan and compared it to conventional ventilation systems, it was obvious which way we were going to go.

Here are 5 reasons why a solar powered attic fan is such a good investment:

1 - Simple and Affordable:

A solar attic fan has its own power source - the sun - so no wiring is needed. This means you require no electricity permits or qualified electricians to install the fan. All you need to do is follow the accompanying step-by-step instructions. And at most it will take you 2 hours to get it working.

2 - Renewable, Free Power Source:

Sun's energy, which happens to be the source for a solar powered attic fan's power, is free. So all it will cost to use the fan is the amount you pay for it.

Furthermore, households that employ renewable energy and other energy efficient systems at home generally receive Federal and state tax incentives, which make the fan even cheaper to run.

3 - Operates all day:

Since a solar powered attic fan uses no electricity, it can operate all day long, from when the sun rises until a little after the sun sets. So air is constantly circulating in your home, regardless of the temperature, keeping your home well-ventilated and cool.

4 - Helps Maintain your roof's condition:

During cold winter months heat trapped in your attic can melt snow on your roof. As the the water trickles down, it collects and refreezes in the cooler eaves or gutters, leading to costly and destructive ice damming. By having a solar powered attic fan, it requires minimal sunlight to operate and keep the attic cool.

What's more is a solar powered attic fan prevents warm, moist air from collecting in the attic in winter. This moist air (from showering and cooking) usually leads to mold and mildew, which can cause your roof frame to rot.

5 - Aids In Preventing Global Warming:

Your current ventilation system requires electric power to work. This power comes from coal, oil, gas, and nuclear power stations which release harmful green house gases into the atmosphere.

A solar attic fan, on the other hand, use no electricity, so it helps reduce your carbon footprint, thus helping the environment.

Last thoughts:

So many people talk about "green this" and "green that", but very few actually get involved. Now that you know how easy, cost-effective, and "green" it is to install a solar powered attic fan, you can "walk the talk" and actually live a greener, cleaner life.

Most solar powered attic fans can be purchased for $400 or more (before taking tax cost and subsidies into account), which a tiny investment to make for free ventilation and greener living.

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