March 20, 2023

The Benefits of Attic Fan Installation

Colorado summers can make the warm air in your attic unbearably hot. That additional heat can sabotage your air conditioner’s ability to cool your entire home. Installing an attic fan can help circulate out the warm air and also prevent moisture issues in attics that lead to mold growth. 

If you have a steamy, stuffy attic space in your home, an attic ventilation fan may be a good solution to make your space more hospitable and energy efficient. If you use your attic space for storage, a fan will help preserve the items you store there. A licensed technician from Applewood can evaluate your attic and suggest the best attic fan for your home. 

How Does an Attic Fan Work?

Attic fans circulate and expel the hot air in your attic through the vents in your roof and soffit. This makes room for cool dry air to take its place.  Because attic fans are more efficient and use less energy than an air conditioner, they take some of the stress off of your cooling system. This in turn extends the life of your air conditioning system and keeps your home cooler.

For an attic fan to be effective, you must have proper ventilation and insulation. While your fan expels hot, stagnant air, new air needs to replace it. Ideally that air comes from outside but if you have insufficient or blocked venting, cool air from inside your home will get drawn up into your attic instead. You may not think swapping out hot indoor air for hot outdoor air in summer makes sense but consider that on a warm summer day, your attic temperature can reach upwards of 140 degrees. 

Do Attic Fans Work?

A properly installed attic fan can reduce the temperature by up to 50 degrees. It will extend the life of your roof and keep your home healthier. 

Heat and moisture take a toll on the wood in your attic. All of that vapor can rot your roof prematurely. Additionally, ice dams in the winter can create stress on your shingles and eaves. Melting snow can seep into your roof and into your attic.

Moisture any time of year can foster mold and mildew growth in your home. Mold exposure is a serious health concern that can lead to numerous problems including:

• Headaches
• Respiratory issues
• Allergies
• Fatigue

Deciding to install an attic fan will reduce the moisture that rises to the top of your home or soaks in through the roof to prevent mold from growing inside your walls and ceilings.

Can an Attic Exhaust Fan Help with Ice Dams?

Ice dams occur when snow accumulation on your roof melts and then freezes into masses of ice. Ice dams can damage your roof and soffits and can result in interior water leaks.

According to Energystar, a combination of attic insulation and ventilation can reduce your chance of ice dams. By keeping your home’s warm air from rising up into your attic and by circulating any warm air out, you reduce the chance of snow melting and freezing again.

Who Installs Attic Fans?

A licensed electrician or HVAC technician should install your attic fan. It will need to be mounted on your roof and hardwired into your electrical system. Solar attic fans are a budget-friendly option that use less electricity.

In the Denver, Boulder and Longmont area, one of Applewood’s experts can evaluate your attic space and suggest the best fan for your home.

Improve Your Attic Ventilation Today

Schedule with Applewood today and say goodbye to hot, steamy attics that tax your air conditioning and damage your home. Applewood is a family owned and operated home services provider that employs local experts to repair and improve your home. Our company always appreciates your business.