Vent Your Attic with a Solar Attic Fan

Having a properly vented attic keeps your home cooler, your utility bills lower (since you won't have to run the AC as much), and helps combat the harmful effects of condensation buildup which can lead to rot, mold, and mildew. Traditionally, passive ventilation and electrical attic vent fans have been used to address this issue and keep a flow of fresh air circulating through the attic space. Recently, however, the solar powered attic fan has started to catch on as a near perfect solution for this task.

Harnessing the Power of the Sun
A solar powered attic fan works pretty much like you'd expect it to. The fan itself is installed near the ridge of your home's roof, and is then connected to a set of low powered photovoltaic solar cells that provide the fan with enough electricity to get the fan spinning when the sun is shining. More often than not, these cells are installed directly onto the outside of the fan housing, though if your fan is being installed in a shady area you can opt to place the solar cells in a different area that gets more regular, and direct, sunlight. Once installed, your solar attic fan will kick on whenever the sun is out, drawing fresh air up through your soffit vents and blowing hot, stale and humid air up and out of your attic at the same time.

No Wiring, No Switches, No Worries
One of the big benefits of a solar powered attic fan is ease of installation. Since its energy source is the sun, you won't have to worry about running any wiring, installing downstairs switches, installing thermostats, or making sure the whole thing is up to code as you would with electrically powered vent fans. The only thing you'll have to worry about is where to install it on your roof. Make sure you put it (or the solar cells) in a place where they'll get the most direct sunlight possible, however. Remember, good attic ventilation is important year round, and your fan will only run at optimal efficiency if you make sure your solar cells are getting maximum exposure to sunlight. Installing it in a shady area will drop the power it receives, and subsequently the amount of air it is able to circulate through your attic.

Solar Attic Fans Are Virtually Maintenance Free
Besides ease of installation, the other reason many homeowners are seeing the light when it comes to solar attic fans is the fact that they require almost no maintenance once installed. The photovoltaic cells can provide the fan with power for up to 50 years without being replaced, meaning once you get it installed it pretty much takes care of itself. And since it's not drawing electricity from your home, you're also saving money. Solar powered attic fans cost a little more initially, but when you consider the fact that they are self-powered, and have the potential to significantly reduce your energy costs as well, it's easy to see why this is one home improvement task that pays for itself in time.

If you're interested in installed a solar attic fan, talk to a contractor or solar products retailer about what it will take to get these environmentally friendly, economically wise attic fans installed in your home.