DIY Solar Powered Attic Fan
The growth of mold and fungus is a serious issue in the attic as it can lead to future problems within the home. One preventative option you should consider is using a solar powered attic fan. Keeping your attic cool and dry will prevent the growth of mold and fungus that can damage the roof as well as the framework in your home. Keeping the attic cool will also help keep snow from melting too fast, thereby preventing the condition called ice damming, which is indicated by damage along the roof edges.
Using a solar-powered attic fan will help to achieve the optimum conditions for your home without increasing the electric bill. It might also lower the electric bill, because keeping a cooler attic temperature reduces the workload on the home's cooling system. A built-in thermostat is another option for a solar powered attic fan which allows you to set the temperature ranges before the unit will turn on and off accordingly.
With minimal installation costs when compared to a hard-wired attic fan, a solar powered attic fan is entirely self supporting. It is built with a small scale solar power system built right onto it. Since the fan really only needs to operate during warmer daylight temperatures no wiring is needed since it can run exclusively on the power of solar energy.
Many companies provide kits that include all components required to install your unit--in most cases, you can install the unit in less than an hour or two. And because no wiring or structural modifications are required, you will most likely not need any county or municipal inspection or approval to install the unit.
Some power tools may be required for installation as you will be cutting through the roofing material. Most fan manufacturers, if they don’t already offer it on their web site, will be happy to supply you with a copy of their product’s installation instructions prior to your purchase so you can become familiar with what is need to properly install the fan. Before you proceed though, check your roof’s warranty to ensure that you won’t be voiding it by doing the work yourself.
Some solar powered attic fans come with a remote solar panel which can be placed anywhere it will receive direct sunlight. The attic fan itself can then be installed wherever it will produce the best results.
When equipped with a thermostat a solar powered attic fan will continue to maintain optimal conditions in your attic throughout the year by keeping in dry and in your pre selected temperature range. All this with no extra monthly operating costs!
Using a solar-powered attic fan will help to achieve the optimum conditions for your home without increasing the electric bill. It might also lower the electric bill, because keeping a cooler attic temperature reduces the workload on the home's cooling system. A built-in thermostat is another option for a solar powered attic fan which allows you to set the temperature ranges before the unit will turn on and off accordingly.
With minimal installation costs when compared to a hard-wired attic fan, a solar powered attic fan is entirely self supporting. It is built with a small scale solar power system built right onto it. Since the fan really only needs to operate during warmer daylight temperatures no wiring is needed since it can run exclusively on the power of solar energy.
Many companies provide kits that include all components required to install your unit--in most cases, you can install the unit in less than an hour or two. And because no wiring or structural modifications are required, you will most likely not need any county or municipal inspection or approval to install the unit.
Some power tools may be required for installation as you will be cutting through the roofing material. Most fan manufacturers, if they don’t already offer it on their web site, will be happy to supply you with a copy of their product’s installation instructions prior to your purchase so you can become familiar with what is need to properly install the fan. Before you proceed though, check your roof’s warranty to ensure that you won’t be voiding it by doing the work yourself.
Some solar powered attic fans come with a remote solar panel which can be placed anywhere it will receive direct sunlight. The attic fan itself can then be installed wherever it will produce the best results.
When equipped with a thermostat a solar powered attic fan will continue to maintain optimal conditions in your attic throughout the year by keeping in dry and in your pre selected temperature range. All this with no extra monthly operating costs!