Solar Attic Fans

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A very important, yet often overlooked, aspect of owning a home is that the attic is properly vented. With the sun beaming on your roof and the hot air in your house rising to the attic, it is very easy for heat and moisture to get trapped in your attic. The heat will damage the materials that make your roof over longer periods of time. Moisture can not only damage your roof and attic, but also any belongings you keep in the attic. The moisture can also promote mold and bacteria growth and really destroy the integrity of the roof and endanger the people in the house.

It's natural that this would happen. The sun will shine on your roof and will significantly raise the temperature in your attic. Rain will cause moisture to build up inside. Even in the winter, the snow will cause the roof to be very cold and condensation will occur, turning your attic into a swamp. It is very important to keep your attic properly ventilated.

A solar attic fan can improve your attic ventilation to prevent stagnant air from ruining it. A solar attic fan is attached on the roof and will suck out the air from your attic outside. It is a small and lightweight unit, and is quite easy to install. However, it does require some power tools to install and you to be physically capable enough to work on the roof of your house to install a solar attic fan, so if you don't have any experience it is highly recommended to hire a roofer to do it for you.

Solar attic fans have their advantages and disadvantages. They're small, lightweight, and relatively easy to install. They operate on solar power, which means you will not be spending more for electricity to power it and you will be helping the environment by using a clean source of energy. On the downside, they only operate from sunlight, so when the sun sets, it is cloudy/raining, or if a tree is blocking direct sunlight, it will not be ventilating the attic. Also, for larger attics, one solar attic fan will most likely not be enough. You will have to install several fans to ensure proper air flow thoughout your entire attic. Depending on how many you need, the costs of installing solar attic fans can rack up quickly.

Three things to look for (besides cost) when shopping for a solar attic fan are weight, air flow, and solar panel placement:

Weight - They are all generally lightweight, but it is still important to know if you can physically lift it if installing it yourself.
Solar Panels - Some units have the panels fixed on the solar attic fan, while others have it separate, allowing you to place it wherever needed. This is great if you are going to install the attic fan in a place that isn't optimal for sunlight.
Air Flow - This is the most important. Air flow is measured in CPM, or cubic feet per minute. The higher the CPM, the better the air flow. Large attics NEED more air flow, so be sure to get a solar attic fan with a good enough CPM, or to buy several solar attic fans.