Creating the ideal environment inside your home has become more convenient with today’s technology. Whole house fans provide an easy way to keep your home’s environment comfortable while improving the air quality. It is a smart investment that can enhance your comfort and decrease your utility expenses.
WHAT IS A WHOLE HOUSE FAN AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
A whole house fan is an add-on to your home’s HVAC system. People usually install it on the roof or attic. This piece of equipment pulls hot air away from the home and out to vents in the roof. Cooler air enters through windows, bringing down your home temperature.
Whole house fans create negative pressure as they pull air through open windows and fill the house with cool air. This helps to provide your home with a crisp and comfortable environment.
This effect can serve as a substitute for air conditioning. However, this may only be possible during seasons when the air outside feels cool.
Some regions have steady cool climates that are more compatible with whole-house fans. Others have hot and muggy outdoor air that requires the use of air conditioners. For the Sacramento area, whole house fans can be very effective outside of summertime.
BENEFITS OF WHOLE HOUSE FANS
Many homeowners like having a whole house fan available to complement their HVAC system. The most common benefits of having one in your home include:
1. FAST PERFORMANCE
Whole-house fans work quickly. Shortly after you turn it on, it can bring down the temperature of your home to approximately 10 degrees. Additionally, It can cool your attic by up to 50 degrees. This is why whole house fans work well in many cases without needing to use your air conditioning system.
2. DECREASES THE NEED FOR AIR CONDITIONING
Since your whole property can become cooler quickly, your air conditioning system will work less hard to reach a comfortable temperature. Depending on the season and location, it is possible that you won’t need to use your air conditioner at all. This can represent significant energy savings without sacrificing comfort.
Some people take advantage of the whole-house fan at night when the temperature is cooler. Even in hotter months, you could at least save on using your ac at night!
3. It’s Affordable
A whole-house fan system is less expensive to install than central air conditioning. In addition, it requires up to 90% less energy than your air conditioning unit! It is an investment that quickly pays off.
It is also a great advantage for the resale value of your property. An HVAC system that includes a whole house fan holds a higher value, so it will be attractive to home buyers.
4. PROVIDES A QUIET ENVIRONMENT
Some HVAC systems are very disruptive and noisy in a home environment. Compared to older models, modern whole-house fans are very quiet.
Those that are not quiet are likely not properly installed. Thus, it is important that you choose a trusted HVAC company that can install your fan correctly. Homeowners enjoy a steady, consistent hum when a whole house fan is in operation.
5. ALLOWS THE FLOW OF QUALITY INDOOR AIR
Whole house fans are essential additions to home ventilation because they help combat stagnant air.
Its function provides targeted ventilation, helping odors and humidity stay under control. This prevents the buildup of harmful airborne particles that can affect your family’s health.
Proper humidity levels also prevent the growth of mold, mildew, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. These can all settle in your home when the air is not cool and dry.
6. ECO-FRIENDLY
Another advantage of having a whole-house fan is lowering your carbon footprint. It is more eco-friendly to use whole-house fans since they require less energy than air conditioning.
Some states have electric companies that provide homeowners with rebates for installing and using whole-house fans.
7. EASY TO INSTALL
Installing a whole house fan is a very simple project. However, it does require the tools and expertise of a professional HVAC company. Experienced professionals will be able to provide guidance for choosing the fan size and power that best suits your home. They will also provide you with instructions to run it properly.
MORE ABOUT WHOLE HOUSE FANS INSTALLATIONS
Whole house fans are generally available with a diameter of between 24 and 36 inches in size. The larger the diameter, the greater capacity the fan must pull air throughout your home. Most fans operate at two speeds including high and low settings. To calculate the volume of circulating air, we use a measurement of cubic feet per minute (CFM).
For example, a 30-inch fan can likely draw approximately 5,000 CFM when running at a low speed. On a high-speed setting, they draw 7,500 CFM. Don’t worry, you don’t have to learn much about these numbers. An HVAC professional will be able to help select the proper fan for installation.
The general rule of thumb for fan size is to multiply your home’s square footage by three. This is a way to achieve only a rough estimate.
Your HVAC professional uses other assessments to refine the results. They will provide you with options for the type of appropriate installation for your unique needs.
WHOLE HOUSE FANS INSTALLED BY TRUSTED HVAC PROFESSIONALS
When it comes to the comfort of your home, you want to select the most trusted HVAC professionals in your area. At Gallagher’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, we have extensive experience with helping homeowners achieve the ideal indoor comfort they seek.
Our mission is to allow our clients to make educated choices when considering a whole fan installation. We’re here for you anywhere in the Northern Valley and the Greater Sacramento area.
Call us today for a consultation!
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