Attic fan installation is the best way to cut down on your electricity bills. It not only cools your attic but also makes your home a comfortable place to live. Read the following article to learn how to install one safely.
Have you ever been to your attic on one of those hot summer days? These spaces quickly heat up, and the temperatures can rise to as high as 150 degrees. All this heat gets trapped under your roof and slowly gets transferred to the ceiling below, heating up the interior of your house. Now, this puts an additional load on your air conditioners, which in turn, affect the electricity bill.
A simple solution to all these problems is attic fan installation. This is the best way to control the heat and humidity that collects in that respective room. The fan keeps it cooler by pulling the outside air through the roof vents, and forces the hot air out. Such a well-ventilated room can keep your entire house cool, even during the hot summers.
How to Install One?
This can be quite a simple job if you have some basic knowledge and experience with the hand tools and roofing. Turn the power off at the circuit breaker, or remove the fuse for safety. You can also turn the main power supply off. Wear long-sleeved shirt, long pant, and safety goggles or face mask for protection.
Step 1
The first step is to decide the place, where you want to install the fan. You can either fix it in front of an existing gable vent, or cut a new hole in the roof for it. Begin by drilling a hole in the roof and then cut, with the help of a reciprocating saw. Make sure that the hole does not affect any electrical or plumbing line that might be concealed in walls. The hole should be large enough to accommodate the fan completely.
Step 2
Once you have made the opening, slip the flange on the fan, housing under the roofing shingles that are present above the hole. You may need to remove or cut some shingles. Now, spread some roofing mastic under the flange to seal it in place. Nail down the four corners of the flange through the shingles to seal against water.
Step 3
Now, install the cover of the fan. Screw it and seal the outside edge with acrylic caulk. There will be no occurrence of leaks, if the flange and the cover are installed correctly.
Step 4
With the flanges and cover fixed, you can now install the fan. Most attic fans have to be clipped into the flange. Some of them have to be attached in front of the gable vent. Secure one in place by clipping into the nearby studs, with the help of a few screws. Fix it in such a way that it blows in the direction of the exhaust opening. Use fans that come with mounting brackets that allow them to be easily mounted across the studs. If you have installed one in one of the existing vents, make sure that there are at least two more vents for it to work efficiently. Once you have installed it, spin the blades to check for obstacles.
Step 5
With the fan in place, it is time to install the regulator. Remove its cover, secure it to a nearby stud, and screw it in place. This is the device that controls the fan. Now that, both are in place, you will have to run the electrical wiring to power the fan. It is advisable that you consult an electrician for this purpose. This is because, among all the home appliances, it is little difficult to install it, as an electrical cable needs to be installed to run the length from the regulator to the fan. Once the wiring is done, screw the cover of the regulator back.
This installation procedure is almost done. Set the temperature control of the regulator to about 95 degrees. This is the temperature that most manufacturers recommend for efficient working of the fan to set the attic ventilation requirement at minimum. It is now ready to cool the respective room and your entire house. However, if you are not comfortable with installing one yourself, you can get the job done by a professional by shelling out some money, as its cost is not very high.