attic fan ventilation
#1
07-28-05, 03:11 PM
attic fan ventilation
The home we have purchased has a gable mounted attic ventilation fan. It doesn't seem to work. There is a switch on the iside of the closet that does nothing...it doesn't turn it off or on, nor does the fan go on automatically when the temperature in the attic gets above 95%. As you can imagine it can get up to 140% in the afternoon in the attic.
My question is "Could it just be the switch or more probably the fan itself? " Ands how would I test it to determine which is the problem?
The fan is approximately 17 years old.
My question is "Could it just be the switch or more probably the fan itself? " Ands how would I test it to determine which is the problem?
The fan is approximately 17 years old.
#4
08-04-05, 10:04 PM
I am going to have to disagree on the switch replacement as a start.
Attic fans should be on a dedicated circuit (their own breaker) You can shut down this breaker disconnect the switch wiring and use a simple voltage test light or multi-meter if available to determine if power is coming to the switch.
Once switch is removed from wiring attach test light and have someone turn the breaker back on. If you have light on your test probe and adequate attic access the next step is to insure power is reaching the fan. Same process.
There are many considerations:
1)At some point a previous owner disconnected this circuit to use it for other use.
2)It is improperlly wired or being that it's an attic fan the motor has become clogged with dust and debris which has damaged the contacts,
3)the low voltage thermostate wiring has become dislodged--VERY COMMON
or
4)The fan took a crap
If the circuit is intact and cleaning the fan motor and contacts seems, as it does to me, way to much work, just replace the fan. They can be bought fairly cheap. Just make sure it has a motor that works on the supplied voltage already installed and that it moves enough air for your attic space.
If you want some advice on tracing the circuit (NON-POWERED) let me know and I'll give you the hints just in case the wiring can't be readily identified.
Keep in touch and take deep breaths, attic cooling problem solved before you know it
Attic fans should be on a dedicated circuit (their own breaker) You can shut down this breaker disconnect the switch wiring and use a simple voltage test light or multi-meter if available to determine if power is coming to the switch.
Once switch is removed from wiring attach test light and have someone turn the breaker back on. If you have light on your test probe and adequate attic access the next step is to insure power is reaching the fan. Same process.
There are many considerations:
1)At some point a previous owner disconnected this circuit to use it for other use.
2)It is improperlly wired or being that it's an attic fan the motor has become clogged with dust and debris which has damaged the contacts,
3)the low voltage thermostate wiring has become dislodged--VERY COMMON
or
4)The fan took a crap
If the circuit is intact and cleaning the fan motor and contacts seems, as it does to me, way to much work, just replace the fan. They can be bought fairly cheap. Just make sure it has a motor that works on the supplied voltage already installed and that it moves enough air for your attic space.
If you want some advice on tracing the circuit (NON-POWERED) let me know and I'll give you the hints just in case the wiring can't be readily identified.
Keep in touch and take deep breaths, attic cooling problem solved before you know it
#5
08-10-05, 06:13 PM
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My 2 attic fans are not on a dedicated circuit...should they be? I believe they are wired off of the end of a plug run in a room.
