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The Most Common Mistakes When Installing A Whole House Fan.

Problem Number One:
Heading down to to the local hardware store and purchasing a whole house attic fan without doing the proper research first is the biggest mistake a home owner can make when installing a whole house fan. If you assume that you have the right size fan, the best manufacturer, or all of the information you need in order to install the whole house attic fan yourself, chances are you will have to hire someone to correct your do-it-yourself mistakes.

Solution Number One:
Hire a reputable electrician who has a good reputation for installing whole house attic fans. Even though the project is relatively small, there can be a lot more to it than just cutting the vent opening and turning the fan on. A good electric services company will know: What size fan to use, Whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, Where to place the fan intake opening, When is the best time to use the fan to maximize its benefit.

Problem Number Two:
Installing a house fan without the correct equipment, right insulation, and proper placement of the main intake vent is a terrible mistake.

Solution Number Two:
A electrical contractor will always recommend a fan that comes with built in insulation. When it is cold, it is really important that the fan, the house fan housing, the vent opening, and the attic vents have the correct insulation so that you are not losing money by escaping warming air. Also, a good licensed electrician will know that the fan has to be installed in a location that permits maximum airflow starting at the windows and into the attic.

Big Problem Number Three:
Buying the most inexpensive house fan off the shelf is definitely a really big mistake. Whole house fans are not expensive at all when compared to HVAC. The off the shelf models are not insulated, have generic fan motors, and are quite loud. The last thing you want is to hear what sounds like a squeeky plane taking off inside your house, or a squeaky fan motor every time the whole house fan is activated.

Solution Number Three:
Purchase a quality fan that has good reviews and low maintenance. A quick search on several consumer goods review web
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sites will steer you in the right direction. Also, consult with your reputable electrician. They might carry a certain brand of whole house fan that they trust and that has a great reputation for being a quality product. Definitely do not go with a brand that has no history of past performance or good reviews by lots of people.

Mistake Number Four: (And this one is huge!)
Having a house fan installed that is too large for the home is one of the biggest mistakes a home owner can make. If there is not proper attic ventilation, a house fan that is too large will quite possibly draw all of the hot air up from the house and into the attic, and then push that hot air back down into the living space through the ceiling lights, electrical outlets, HVAC vents, small cracks, wall switches. In fact, a fan that is too large for the dwelling will quite possibly make it warmer, not cooler.

Solution Number Four:
Before installing a whole house attic fan, consult with a electric services company and chose the model that is right for the home. If you don„ôt have enough attic ventilation, there are some simple steps that can be taken to provide that ventilation. A ridge vent, gable vent, soffit vent, and whirly gig are all inexpensive options for attic ventilation. A good licensed electrician will also work with a licensed carpenter who can usually add the correct attic ventilation in a about a day if there is not any in place.

Usually, a smaller fan will cool a house more efficiently than a larger fan, which is more often than not overkill. The goal with a fan is balanced air flow. With constant movement of air throughout the dwelling, it will stay cooler with less energy needed. Also, a smaller whole house fan means less installation work, which is always a bonus.

Mistake Number Five:
Turning on the house fan with the windows closed can cause a potentially hazardous. The whole house attic fan works by drawing cooler air in from the exterior of the house through the open windows and pushing the warm air up into the attic where it escapes through the attic vents. If you close the windows, there is a possibility that air will be pulled from the diverter that is on top of the water heater or boiler. What this means is that poisonous carbon monoxide can be pushed into the living space, creating a potentially fatal situation.

Solution Number Five:
Open those windows before switching on the whole house attic fan! The whole house attic fan is not there to re-circulate bad stale air throughout the house. Its primary function is to cool the dwelling, and provide a less expensive cooling solution than HVAC. In fact, a well installed whole house attic fan can cool an averaged sized house for a tenth of the cost of air conditioning.

By: Don Carter

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

By Don Carter and a licensed Clearwater electrician and electrician Los Angeles. For more information on a whole house fan , visit Vozzcom Electric West Florida 13584 49th St N #20 , Clearwater , FL 33762 (727) 209-0171

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