- Good call on checking soffits and sealing gaps first—so many folks skip that.
- Roof fans can work well, but yeah, cutting the roof always makes people nervous, especially with older shingles.
- Gable fans are easier install-wise, but if your attic’s got weird shapes or not enough venting opposite the fan, you’ll get dead spots.
- I’ve seen plenty of attics where a fan just made things worse by pulling AC air up from the house... sealing those leaks is key.
- If you’re set on a fan after fixing airflow basics, I’d lean toward roof-mount for even air movement—but only if your roof’s in decent shape and you’re comfortable with the install. Otherwise, gable’s less risky for leaks.
Nailed it on the importance of sealing gaps and checking soffits first—honestly, I've seen so many people jump straight to fans and then end up frustrated when their attic still cooks or, worse, starts sucking cool air from the house. That’s a headache you definitely want to avoid.
I get why folks are nervous about putting a hole in the roof for a fan, especially if your shingles are older or you’re not sure about flashing. I’ve managed a few properties where a poorly installed roof fan led to leaks that cost way more to fix than the fan itself. On the flip side, when done right (and with good roofing material), roof-mounts tend to move air more evenly across the attic space. There’s just less risk of dead spots like you sometimes get with gable fans—especially in those chopped-up attics with weird layouts.
Gable fans are definitely easier for most DIYers, though. If you’re not comfortable with cutting into your roof or you’ve got an older home with questionable shingles, I’d probably lean toward gable as well. But—and this is a big one—you really have to make sure there’s enough intake venting on the opposite side. Otherwise, all you’re doing is recirculating hot air or, worse, pulling conditioned air from the house below.
One thing I’d add: watch out for negative pressure issues if your attic isn’t sealed up tight. I once had a tenant complain about high energy bills after installing an attic fan—they’d skipped sealing up the attic floor and basically created a vacuum that pulled AC right out of the living space. Not fun for anyone.
Bottom line, your instincts are solid—fix airflow basics first, then weigh your comfort level with install risks. Roof-mount can be great if your roof's in decent shape and you trust whoever’s doing the work. Otherwise, gable is a safer bet leak-wise but just keep an eye on those venting details. It’s all about balancing risk and reward... and maybe keeping Murphy’s Law in mind when working above your head.
Curious if anyone’s had luck with solar-powered attic fans? I’ve been eyeing them since my electric bills spike in the summer, but I’m not sure if they move enough air compared to hardwired ones. Also, does roof pitch make a big difference in how well these fans work?
- Solar attic fans can help, but in my experience they don’t move as much air as hardwired ones. If you get a lot of direct sun, they’ll run better, but on cloudy days or late afternoon, output drops off.
- Roof pitch does matter. Steeper roofs tend to trap more heat up high, so a fan up there helps vent it out. On low-slope roofs, heat doesn’t pool as much, so the effect isn’t as dramatic.
- I’ve seen folks with gable-mount solar fans get decent results if their attic’s got good cross-ventilation already. Roof-mounts usually work better for pulling hot air straight up and out, especially if your attic’s pretty closed off otherwise.
- One thing—solar fans are quieter and easier to install (no wiring), but if you’re in a really hot climate or have a big attic, you might want to stick with hardwired for the extra airflow.
- After a hailstorm last year, I replaced a damaged hardwired fan with solar just to try it out. Electric bill dropped a little, but not as much as I’d hoped. Still, it’s something.
- If you’re worried about leaks, make sure whoever installs it flashes the base properly... seen too many quick jobs lead to water getting in around the fan.
You’re spot on about the flashing—honestly, I’ve seen more water issues from sloppy installs than from the fans themselves. Especially after a big storm, folks get in a rush to patch things up and miss those details around the base. That’s when you get slow leaks that can go unnoticed for months.
I’ve also noticed that roof-mounts seem to do better in houses where the attic’s basically a hot box. Gable fans are alright if you’ve got decent airflow already, but I’d say most of the storm damage calls I get are on homes with tighter attics and not enough vents. The roof-mounts just pull that heat right out... as long as they’re sized right.
One thing I’d toss in—if you’re in hail country, the solar fan domes can get dinged up faster than the old metal hardwired ones. Had a neighbor replace his twice in three years. Not sure if anyone’s found a brand that holds up better? For me, I’d rather deal with a bit more wiring than risk swapping out broken plastic every time it hails. But yeah, the lower electric bill is a nice perk when it works.
