Solar powered attic fans

Solar powered attic fans are used to ventilate attics and to keep them cooler, reducing cooling needs in the home’s rooms.

Parts of solar attic fans

Solar powered fans are based on a small photovoltaic solar panel that powers a small motor connected to a fan, which exhausts the attic air at a rate around 800-1200 CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute).

Solar attic fans are typically installed with intake vents on the top part of the roof, or in the gable (in this case, often behind a shutter).

Models of Solar Attic Fans

Solar attic fans may differ in many details. In many models the fan and the solar panel are mounted separately, while in other cases the two main units appear together. In the first case, the small solar panel is usually mounted either on the roof or on an exterior wall, often using a bracket to allow it to be tilted toward the sun.

Costs

Solar attic fans prices are often in the $300-$600 range. Prices depend on the ventilation capacity, optional features (thermostat), quality and manufacturer. An all-metal fan is largely preferable to a plastic one. Plastic fans tend to crack and their performance is lower. Very cheap fans are a bad option.

Options

A good thermostat is an important element, in order to run the fan only when it is beneficial.

Warranty

The components of solar attic fans have different warranties, ranging from five to twenty-five years. They also vary a lot with manufacturers.

Location of solar attic fans

A solar attic fan should face the sun as squarely as possible during the hottest part of the day. It should also be installed to avoid short-circuiting the air flow in the attic, and should be evenly spaced between intake vents and - in the case of roof attic fans type - close to the roof ridge.