Been noticing my attic gets crazy hot lately, and I'm thinking about putting in one of those solar-powered attic fans. Seems straightforward enough, but um...anyone done this before? Any pitfalls or brands you'd recommend?
"Been noticing my attic gets crazy hot lately, and I'm thinking about putting in one of those solar-powered attic fans."
I've installed a few of these for clients, and honestly, I'm not always convinced they're the best solution. Sure, they help move hot air out, but if your attic isn't properly sealed and insulated first, you're basically pulling conditioned air from your living space into the attic, which can actually raise your energy bills. I'd suggest checking your insulation and sealing any leaks before jumping into the fan install...might save you some headaches later.
I get the logic behind sealing first, but wouldn't a solar fan still help even if the attic isn't perfectly insulated? Like, wouldn't it at least reduce some heat buildup and ease the load on your AC...? Curious if anyone's actually measured the difference.
I've actually measured temps in a few attics before and after installing solar fans. Honestly, you do see some drop—maybe 10-15 degrees on a hot day—but it's not a magic bullet if your attic leaks air like a sieve. Sealing first makes the fan way more effective, but yeah, even without perfect insulation, you'll probably notice your AC cycling a bit less often. Just don't expect miracles...
