Whole house fan removal

I intend to remove the whole house fan that sits above our upstairs hallway. We never use it and it's an eyesore. So I know that some drywall work is in my future.

My electrical question is this: when I disconnect the fan from the electrical, I will have an unused live wire in the attic. What is the proper way to terminate this wire? Put it in a junction box??

 

Put it in an accessible junction box with a blank cover. Cap the ends of the wires with wire nuts.

 

That is the easiest. The box must have a cover and remain accessible. You could even install a receptacle in the box. Never know when you'll need one in the attic. The third way if it is a dedicated circuit is to remove from the breaker, cut as short as possible, and shove it out of the breaker box.

 

Thanks for the advice. I like the receptacle idea.

 

Just remember.... whatever controlled the attic fan (switch) will now control that receptacle.

 

There is a market for good used whole house fans if you don't damage it or the shutter when removing them. With electric rates continuing to spiral upward people are starting to buy and install them again.

 

Joe is right. The old ones were much better built, quiet, and easy to service. Our old house had a good one, and our new house has none, which I will remedy soon.

 

I wouldn't have imagined anyone would want a whole house fan from the '80's, but it still works, so I'll take your advice and look into selling. Thanks!

As I prepare to do this, another dilemma is staring me in the face. Two of the attic floor joists have been cut (or perhaps were never there in the first place) to make room for the fan. When I remove the fan and cover with dry wall and insulate, surely I will need to replace these short sections of joists because someone may walk over this area in the attic in the future. But how? Do you make a "splint"?

 

My whole house fan from the '80s still works like a champ and I love it. The problem today is that all the manufacturers I remember who made fans have dropped them and the only ones I am aware of that are still sold new are cheapy imports. I have a friend who works part-time at a box store and he tells me that this year more people than ever are asking for them.

Most likely if joists were cut a square opening was framed from the same size 2Xs as the joists to mount the fan to; somewhat of a box that would head off the support joists. The fan sat on top and the sheet metal frame enclosed the top of the box. If you have the square framing you should replace the rafter material, nailing through from the outside of the box framing. You'll need it not only for a floor above, but for nailers for the drywall below. If you don't have the box framed for fan support it may be a wonder the ceiling didn't fall.

 

Yes, this box is in place to hold the fan. Thanks so much for your help!