Is blown-in dense enough to use with a whole-house ceiling fan?
#1
01-31-13, 01:17 PM
Is blown-in dense enough to use with a whole-house ceiling fan?
I have a 36" whole-house fan located in the ceiling in the center of my house. I would like to add more insulation and following the advice I often see here I plan to have someone else do the work. Is there any concern with the loose insulation being disturbed by the fan?
#3
02-01-13, 09:38 AM
It's not in some sort of deep housing that reaches to the roof, if that's what you mean. It rests on the joists and came with a plastic sleeve that you notch to fit over the joists, sealing the fan to the drywall & the louvers on the other side.
#4
02-01-13, 09:56 AM
Group Moderator
I have never seen it cause trouble with blown-in insulation. The fan blow directly up and provided you have enough exit space for the air there should be no disturbance.
The only possible issue is the area immediately around the fan. The insulation installer will either have to taper down the insulation around the fan so they don't bury it or build a dam around it so they can have the full depth right up to the fan.
The only possible issue is the area immediately around the fan. The insulation installer will either have to taper down the insulation around the fan so they don't bury it or build a dam around it so they can have the full depth right up to the fan.
#5
02-01-13, 12:31 PM
Hi guy,
Whole house fans have their issues so I'll just mention them and let you decide if there is a problem.
1. They move so much air that any naturally drafted appliances like a furnace, boiler, hot water heater, or fireplace can be overpowered resulting in combustion gasses being pulled back into the house. CO can be one of those gasses and is very bad.
2. As Pilot mentioned, a big fan like that needs a lot of vent area to provide an outlet from the attic. But even with a lot, the attic will get pressurized which results in some of that air being pushed back into the house through hidden leaks.
3. Even though a family plans to not run a furnace and the WH fan at the same time, it happens and building codes now require make up air be provides with exhaust fans over 400 cfm. Your local codes may vary, but it illustrates the concerns.
Install a coffer dam around the fan, add a cover for when not needed, and see air seal the ceiling to attic before you pour on more insulation.
Best
Bud
Whole house fans have their issues so I'll just mention them and let you decide if there is a problem.
1. They move so much air that any naturally drafted appliances like a furnace, boiler, hot water heater, or fireplace can be overpowered resulting in combustion gasses being pulled back into the house. CO can be one of those gasses and is very bad.
2. As Pilot mentioned, a big fan like that needs a lot of vent area to provide an outlet from the attic. But even with a lot, the attic will get pressurized which results in some of that air being pushed back into the house through hidden leaks.
3. Even though a family plans to not run a furnace and the WH fan at the same time, it happens and building codes now require make up air be provides with exhaust fans over 400 cfm. Your local codes may vary, but it illustrates the concerns.
Install a coffer dam around the fan, add a cover for when not needed, and see air seal the ceiling to attic before you pour on more insulation.
Best
Bud
