Electric Attic Fans vs Solar Attic Fans Attic

Attic fans may provide very significant energy savings. Temperatures in the attic have a huge impact in the cooling needs of the house’s rooms.

On the other hand, the operational costs of attic fans are very low (electric attic fans) or close to zero (solar powered attic fans).

Note: in a typical sunny-hot day, an electric attic fan may use 300-400 watts of energy, which corresponds to a monthly operation cost of less than $40 (in a typical summer month).

Possible drawbacks

If there isn’t an adequate sealing between the attic and the remaining home, attic fans can draw air from the house, lowering energy efficiency and even creating the risk of moisture in the attic…

Since most attic fans are mounted on the roof, that may eventually become a source of leaks; and in a way that may also make the house more damageable by strong winds and rains. But these are mainly marginal hypothesis, dependent on the quality of the installation or on very particular climate conditions.

Obviously, in very windy places, with periodic and regular very strong storms, it may be wiser not to install a top-roof attic fan.

Benefits of solar attic fans vs. electric attic fans

Solar attic fans dispense with electrical wiring and do not need electricity. The fact that ventilation depends on sunshine to power the fan motor is not usually a limitation, even in cold climates, since the greatest need for ventilation coincides with the best solar conditions and fan speed.

Disadvantages of solar attic fans vs electric fans

The prices of solar attic fans are higher than those of electric ones (around $200 more), but since they don't require wiring and haven't operation costs, that can largely compensate their higher initial price.

The main and truly limitations of solar attic fans are associated with specific uses, in winter and climates with insufficient solar resources. If, for instance, you want to fight moisture with an attic fan and live in a cold climate, then a solar attic fan may not be a good solution. The ventilation provided by it is often insufficient. In this case, electric powered attic fans are a more advantageous solution.