Attic Fan
#1
04-28-16, 06:26 PM
Attic Fan
So I'm looking into buying a home and the inspection was yesterday. One of the things he suggested was an attic fan and to move the insulation away from the soffit vents and put in those baffles to help keep the attic cooler and prevent roof/shingle damage. The house has tons of potential...needs new kitchen, windows, siding, and heating system updated(current electric radiant ceiling heat[do I want a heat pump or gas which is at the curb]which caused every room's ceiling to crack). These are the big ticket items obviously.
Anyway, any help would be great. Thanks
Anyway, any help would be great. Thanks
#2
04-29-16, 06:32 AM
Group Moderator
Wow... you've got a couple threads worth of questions crammed into that paragraph.
The insulation and attic vent is relatively easy to fix. Depending on the type of insulation it can be raked back from the soffits literally using a rake. If it's fiberglass batts it's more difficult. Access to the attic and the roof pitch will affect how easy or difficult the work is.
There are many different types of attic vents; ridge vents, turbine, powered fan.... They each have their pro's and con's and which one will depend on your prospective home and what you want to accomplish.
As for the HVAC that's a much bigger issue and I'd suggest getting together a lot more information before posting your question in the HVAC section of this forum. Things such as your utility rates, insulation in the home, the home's heat loss and your personal preference... will all play a role in that decision.
The insulation and attic vent is relatively easy to fix. Depending on the type of insulation it can be raked back from the soffits literally using a rake. If it's fiberglass batts it's more difficult. Access to the attic and the roof pitch will affect how easy or difficult the work is.
There are many different types of attic vents; ridge vents, turbine, powered fan.... They each have their pro's and con's and which one will depend on your prospective home and what you want to accomplish.
As for the HVAC that's a much bigger issue and I'd suggest getting together a lot more information before posting your question in the HVAC section of this forum. Things such as your utility rates, insulation in the home, the home's heat loss and your personal preference... will all play a role in that decision.
#3
04-29-16, 06:48 AM
If you mean whole house fan, let us know.
Dealing only with your primary issue, I'm not at fan of attic fans. While attic fans push air out of the attic, that air must be replaced. Unless the living space ceiling is perfectly sealed, the fan will suck air from the living space. Likewise, that air will be replaced by air from outside (through the walls). In other words, the attic fan causes warm outside air into the living space.
Dealing only with your primary issue, I'm not at fan of attic fans. While attic fans push air out of the attic, that air must be replaced. Unless the living space ceiling is perfectly sealed, the fan will suck air from the living space. Likewise, that air will be replaced by air from outside (through the walls). In other words, the attic fan causes warm outside air into the living space.
#4
05-01-16, 05:54 AM
Member
Sorry, once my brain gets going I just ask and talk away. LOL
Well it's fiberglass on top of the joists..there is also fiberglass in between the joists. It would be a chore but won't it help with preserving the roof? There are soffit vents so the fan would suck the hot air out and the fresh air would be replaced from the soffit. There isn't a ridge vent. Roof will need replaced in 8-10 yrs so will have one installed then.
About sucking air from the living space, all the drywall ceilings are currently cracked due to the electric radiant heat. Shrinking and expanding from the heating and cooling. Not horribly cracked. There is just a crack that runs down the center of the rooms.
So yes in the summer the fan I guess could suck some of the air from the living space but wouldn't it benefit more the hinder the cause of installing it?
Well it's fiberglass on top of the joists..there is also fiberglass in between the joists. It would be a chore but won't it help with preserving the roof? There are soffit vents so the fan would suck the hot air out and the fresh air would be replaced from the soffit. There isn't a ridge vent. Roof will need replaced in 8-10 yrs so will have one installed then.
About sucking air from the living space, all the drywall ceilings are currently cracked due to the electric radiant heat. Shrinking and expanding from the heating and cooling. Not horribly cracked. There is just a crack that runs down the center of the rooms.
So yes in the summer the fan I guess could suck some of the air from the living space but wouldn't it benefit more the hinder the cause of installing it?
#5
05-01-16, 07:39 AM
I take it DIYPLANK and CPPLANK00 is the same person.
Assuming attic ventilation was done properly originally, total should be sufficient for your needs. In addition, ventilation out should be at least equal to ventilation in from the soffits. If so, the natural flow of air in and out of the attic should be sufficient.
To determine if ventilation is adequate measure the area of your attic (length X width) and divide by 150. For example, a 30' X 50' attic is 1,500 square feet, divided by 150 is 10 square feet of ventilation needed. This amount is the total ventilation. Divide this amount by two to get the amount of intake and outflow ventilation needed.
In terms of air from the living space, this is a year-round problem: cool air sucked out in warm weather and warm air sucked out in cool weather. Adding a fan will exacerbate this problem.
Your best solution is to create a natural flow of air by having the proper ventilation.
Assuming attic ventilation was done properly originally, total should be sufficient for your needs. In addition, ventilation out should be at least equal to ventilation in from the soffits. If so, the natural flow of air in and out of the attic should be sufficient.
To determine if ventilation is adequate measure the area of your attic (length X width) and divide by 150. For example, a 30' X 50' attic is 1,500 square feet, divided by 150 is 10 square feet of ventilation needed. This amount is the total ventilation. Divide this amount by two to get the amount of intake and outflow ventilation needed.
In terms of air from the living space, this is a year-round problem: cool air sucked out in warm weather and warm air sucked out in cool weather. Adding a fan will exacerbate this problem.
Your best solution is to create a natural flow of air by having the proper ventilation.
