Troubleshooting Tips for an Attic Fan

An attic fan is a great way to keep your home cooled off during the hot summer months. The attic fan works by removing the superheated air out of the attic so that the air in the entire home can circulate. This means a cooler interior of the house. After the attic fan has been in use for some time, there may be some problems. Knowing how to troubleshoot your attic fan will help you to make simple repairs yourself without having to hire a repairman. 

Check all Electrical Connections

Before you begin to tear apart the fan, you may want to check the electrical connections first. Look at the circuit breaker to make sure that it is not tripped. If it automatically trips again after resetting it, you may have a short in the wires along the circuit. Also, check the wire connections at the fan, at an electrical junction, or an outlet box. If the attic fan is plugged into an outlet, use a voltmeter to make sure that the outlet is working. You may need to replace a circuit breaker and electrical outlet or one of the wire connections. 

Attic Fan Runs But No Air

If the attic fan is working, but the fan blades are not moving to produce the airflow, the problem may be the belt. Remove the outer casing of the attic fan and check to see if the belt is sagging, cracked, worn, or broke. If there is any damage to the belt, you will need to replace it with a new one. 

No Power in Airflow

When running at a high speed setting, does the attic fan run hard or sluggishly? If it running very sluggish or not producing a lot of air in the high speed setting, then you may have a problem with the exhaust or intake. Check the intake of the attic fan for any debris. Also, make sure the exhaust of the attic fan is high and near the roof. 

Annoying Humming Noise

An attic fan with a few blades may pick up a humming noise as it runs on a high speed setting. The only way to get rid of this hum is to continually operate the fan on a low setting. You could replace the fan with a newer one with more fan blades. 

Fan Shudders and Rattles

One of the problems that many people have in their attic fan is that they will shake and rattle. This is because they are not getting enough air into them. If you have a closed off attic, then install a window, or open one on the other end. This will create a nice airflow and allow more air into the fan itself. Make sure that the window is at least 30 feet away from the fan. 

Burning Smell from Fan

If the fan emits a burning smell from the exhaust, there is a problem with the motor. You will need to remove the motor and replace it. If the smell still remains, the belt could be slipping or the gears that turn the blade shaft could need some grease.