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Technology has come
a long way in the last 30 years. So has home comfort
equipment and design. Whole house fans have also improved
from the large and very loud (house helicopter I call it)
fan at the top of the steps.
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A to Z
has adapted new technology to achieve the same goal without
all the displeasing factors of a traditional whole house
fan. The way we do this is to move the fan out of the
ceiling and into the attic in a manner which will give you
the option of remote vents or a central single vent.
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What are the benefits? |
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A whole house fan can be used as the sole means of cooling
or to reduce the need for air conditioning. Outside air
temperature and humidity dictate times when the whole
house fan would be favorable over air conditioning. If both
methods of cooling are present, a seasonal use of the whole
house fan (during spring and fall) may yield the optimum
combination of comfort and cost.
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What are the drawbacks?
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Temperature,
humidity, and dust
A whole house fan has some drawbacks: the fan can
only cool the inside of a house to the outside temperature;
unlike an air conditioner, it does not dehumidify;
and dust and pollen can be brought into the house.
Avoid backdrafts
Care should be taken to avoid backdrafting combustion
appliances that are installed in the conditioned space.
It is strongly recommended that combustion appliances
NOT be installed in such a manner that they use room
air for combustion. The whole house fan is capable of
pulling large quantities of air from the home and,
particularly if not enough windows are open, may easily
backdraft a water heater located inside a louvered closet
door.
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| Cooling Strategies
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In the summertime, the air inside a home is heated
during
the hot part of the day. At night especially, and during
the
morning and late evening, the outside air is often
cooler and
can be used to replace the inside air. It is important
to open
all or at least several windows, even if only partially,
to
provide adequate airflow. Closing windows in unused
rooms
will create higher velocity air movement in occupied
rooms.
Running the whole house fan whenever outdoor
temperatures are lower than indoor will cool the house.
Operate the whole house fan throughout the evening to
cool
interior materials. An approximate rule of thumb would
be to
use the whole house fan when outside temperatures are
below 85ºF. As daytime temperatures rise, turn off the
whole house fan.
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Why use a whole house fan?
A whole house fan is a simple and inexpensive method of
cooling a house. The fan draws cool outdoor air inside
through
open windows and exhausts hot room air through the attic to
the outside. The result is excellent ventilation, lower
indoor
temperatures, and improved evaporative cooling.
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Single Vent System $975.00
Installed
Multi Vent System up to 4 Rooms
$1250.00
Additional rooms $100.00 Each
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