How an Attic Gable Fan Works

An attic gable fan is one way to help with the circulation of air in the attic space of your home. Because heat rises, it tends to make attics the hottest part of the house. Additionally, an improperly ventilated attic can lead to a buildup of moisture which can wreak havoc on drywall, insulation and even structural components like joists, studs and rafters. There are numerous ways to ventilate an attic, providing for both inflow and outflow of air. If your home has a gabled roof, consider an attic gable fan to aerate the space.

Attic Ventilation Types

Fans, vents, windows and opening skylights are your options for the ventilation of an attic. If an attic is large enough to offer livable space, chances are it has windows which, when open, provide for air circulation. You may also install skylights that open as well to help move air in and keep moisture at bay. Vents and fans, though, are the primary options for attics that are mainly utilized as a crawl space. Examples include ridge vents, box and dome vents, soffit vents and gable vents.

Gable Roofs and Fans

Gable roofs are those that consist of two straight slope surfaces meeting at the apex of the roof. They extend from roof ridge to the eaves of the roof, creating a triangle on the non-gabled sides. The siding of the home extends to the roof rafters and apex on either side. Depending on where the door sits, a home can have a front or side gabled roof. Homes with cross gabled roofs have two perpendicular sections with gables on both ends.

The area of the siding known as the gable is vertical and extends up to the roof. This is where gable vents and fans are installed. Whereas gable vents simply provide an opening for air to enter or exit, gable fans are electrically powered are forcibly move air through the attic space. They are essentially small appliances designed to reduce moisture buildup and to help keep and attic space moderately cool during the summertime.

Installation of Gable Fans

To install a gable fan, a small hole is cut into the gable at the level of the attic space. Into this hole goes the gable fan. The edges around it are sealed both outside and in so no water or air can leak in. From the outside, the fan prevents water from entering the attic while allowing for the proper flow of air. Gable fans can be plugged into an outlet or wired to a circuit. They are designed to ventilate a specific amount of square footage in attic. In general, proper attic ventilation calls for 1 square foot of ventilating ability for every 150 square feet of space. One gable fan for residential use typically provides 1 square foot of ventilating space.

An attic gable fan is an electric powered fan designed to ventilate an attic space. By increasing air circulation, both excessive heat and moisture buildup is prevented. Attic gable fans are installed into the vertical gable of a home with a gabled roof, providing an amount of ventilation relative to the size of the fan.