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, 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 preferable to a
plastic one. Plastic fans tend to crack and their performance is
lower. Very cheap fans may be 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 the solar attic fans may have very variable
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 be located in order to face the sun as squarely as
possible during
the hottest part of the day
in a way that do not short circuit the air flow in the
attic. It should also be
evenly spaced between intake vents,
and close to the roof ridge (in the case of roof attic fans
type).
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