Installing an Attic Fan on Your Roof: What You Need to Know

When it comes to keeping your home cool, an attic fan is often an overlooked option. Installing an attic fan is a cost-effective way to keep your house cool and comfortable. But before you install one, there are a few things you need to consider. For an attic fan to work properly, there must be adequate passive ventilation for it to draw air out.

If you need to add ventilation, you can install a fan in the attic. Attic fans are designed to prevent normal rains from entering, but during hurricanes, the force of the wind can push water up to the ceiling. Prices vary depending on the type of fan you choose, whether permits are required for installation, and any materials you may need, such as wiring or roofing material to replace the shingles and seal the holes. Make sure the installer has enough roofing experience to properly seal and replace the shingles.

Knowing when to use an attic fan can help you keep your home cooler, extend the life of your roof, and save money on your energy bills. Ventilation grilles are often painted, insulation covers the ventilation of the attic ceiling, and ventilation grilles on the ridge can be obstructed by roof felt. When rebuilding your roof, make sure a vent is installed on the ridge and that there are 3 small gabled vents. This will keep the attic dry during winter and prevent future costly roofing and maintenance problems.

Attic fans draw warm air from the attic to the outside and are installed on the roof or gable of a house. A high-quality attic fan can provide continuous active ventilation to protect the roof, support insulation systems, and help provide cooling benefits in certain climates. If there isn't enough ventilation in the attic for the fan to draw air, it will begin to “draw air from inside the house” through cavities in walls and drywall ceilings. Fans and electricity bills cost much less than a new roof; you simply have to always consider the total air flow picture and adjust it for each change. Attic fans can be installed on ceilings like ceiling-mounted fans or vertically on gable walls of houses.

In addition to protecting the roof, lowering the temperature of the attic during warm weather will make your overall home more comfortable.