Important Things To Remember While Using A Whole House Fan

One of the most innovative home cooling systems, whole-house fans, are the house venting systems that circulate cool air throughout the house. From driving out bad odour and stuffy air from the house to saving energy and getting a cooler house, you get a world of benefits after having it installed. The initial whole house fan cost may be high, but it can save you a lot in the long run.

Tips To Use A Whole House Fan In The Best Manner

A whole house fan can be a great way to get a fantastic house. But you may not get the desired effects if not used correctly. Here is a list of the best tips about using whole-house fans —

Switch Off The Fan When Not In Use

You can use a whole-house fan regularly. But it should be turned off sometimes, including when the outside temperature is higher than the inside one. Switching off the fan once you get the desired temperature is the best practice.

Size And Location Of The Fan Matters

To use the whole house fan in the best way, firstly, it must be of the right shape and adequately placed. Therefore, size and location are two crucial factors.

If the size of the fan is too small for the house, it will never give the desired effect. And a fan too large is bound to consume more energy than necessary.

The fan also needs to be put up in the correct place. First, have it installed at a top level of your house, such as the attic or top floor. Next, get it near an outlet such as a door or window or directly into the attic roof like a smart roof-mounted whole house fan.

Regularly Service Your Whole House Fan

Properly maintaining your fan can give you long-term benefits. The fans have sealed bearings, so they mostly require some dusting to get the piled up dirt cleared up from the ceiling shutter. However, getting some preventative maintenance will reduce your fan's chances of requiring any service.

Regulate The Timing Of Operation

The key to getting a cooler home is to turn on the fan only when the outside is cooler. For example, you can turn on your whole house fan for at least ten minutes during the morning hours to let in the cold breeze. This will also cool down the attic and prevent it from getting heated up too much during the day.

Safety Tips While Using Whole House Fans

As mentioned earlier, whole-house fans work by pulling in cool outside air and expelling the warm stuffy inside air. And all it leaves us with is a cooler home. A whole house fan turns out to be a better option from all sides as it is energy-efficient and Eco-friendly. 

Here are some precautions that you should always keep in mind while putting the whole house fan into use—

An optimal number of windows should stay open for pulling in the air while the fan is on. The whole house fan installer will let you know about the correct number of windows that should remain open. Never make the mistake of turning on the whole house fan with the windows shut as a result can be hazardous. Not opening the required number of windows leads to negative pressure in the house, increasing the risk of back-drafting. Back-drafting may occur with gaseous appliances or vent pipes, making the indoor air more polluted and risky for living.

During winter, keep your whole house fan covered and sealed. This is because they possess louvred openings, and this can cause heat loss.

Keep the air-conditioners turned off when the whole house fan is on. Air-conditioners require the windows to be shut, and the fans need the windows open while operating. Turning on the air conditioner will only lead to energy wastage. This is so because the air will only be cooled to get expelled from the whole house fan. 

Similar Link: Whole-House Ventilation is Just What a Healthy House Wants

So, both the appliances should not run simultaneously.

Don't install the whole house fan in your attic if it already has a gas furnace or gas heater. It can be hazardous for all the members of the house.

Cover and seal your fireplace and fireplace damper tightly while using the whole house fan. Not correctly closing it will lead all the soot and ashes to blow into the house, making the indoor air extremely polluted and unsafe for breathing.

If you opt for automatic timers to run the whole house fan, be extremely cautious as the windows need to be opened on time. If you forget to open the windows or are not at home, the situation can be dangerous. You can choose to use an electronic auto-shutoff timer as an alternative.

Analyse carefully and choose the whole house fan that suits you the best. Then, all you need to do is get the right fan installed. Then, rest assured, you can enjoy a cooler home all day long, without any energy wastage.

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