Solar Products
Solar Powered Attic Venting Fans
by Ron Lucchesi
Heat and moisture are your home and attic's worst enemy. Conventional solutions include passive roof venting and electric attic fans. A smarter, greener device allows you to reduce or eliminate the heat and moisture from your attic space at no operating cost because it runs on free solar energy.
During hot summer months the temperature in your attic can exceed 160ƒ. Small, passive roof vents are often inadequate at dissipating this heat at an adequate rate. As the heat builds up, your attic acts like a giant radiator, passing excess heat back into your living spaces and driving temperatures and cooling costs through the roof. Removing attic heat makes good sense especially at no added operational cost.
During cold winter months the heat trapped in your attic can melt the snow that accumulates on your roof. As the water trickles down, it refreezes at the cooler eaves, leading to destructive and costly ice damming.
And all year long trapped moisture wreaks its own brand of havoc. Everyday activities such as showering and cooking produce water vapor that migrates into the attic spaces. This moisture promotes the growth of mold and mildew and, if it often saturates your insulation, can lead to fungal decay and destruction of your roof frame and sheathing. Removing attic moisture makes good sense for your good health and the stability of your home's construction.
Retail prices for solar powered attic fans range from about $350 to $600 depending on ventilation capacity, manufacturer, and optional features of the unit, such as a thermostat.
The benefits of a solar electric fan are many. First of all, it serves the purpose of eliminating the heat and moisture from your attic. Second, there is no need for an electrician to install the far or wiring of any kind to operate the fan. This can be a significant up front savings if your attic has no electrical wiring to begin with. Third, the fan will operate best when its needed the most. When the sun is brightest, and the attic space is being subjected to the highest heat, the fan is operating at its peak capability. The fourth benefit, and probably the most obvious, the fan serves it purpose with no operating cost at all. The icing on the cake is that solar powered attic fans qualify for the 30% Federal Residential Energy Tax Credit.
About the Author
Ron Lucchesi is the owner/operator of Handyman Central Services Inc, and publishes the newsletter "Smart Words for Smart Homeowners" which is distributed from his company's website: www.handyman-central.net. In addition to being a "green" installer, Ron is active in environmental protection committees that work to improve the quality of area rivers, lakes and streams.