Q&A: Should I install a whole-house fan?
I'm considering adding a whole-house fan at my home. How do they work, and in what parts of the country is it smart to use one?
Whole-house fans cool your home by pulling in cool air from open windows and exhausting warm/hot air through the attic and roof. (The illustration from the U.S. Department of Energy shows how these fans work.) They're ideal in areas with low humidity levels and typical nighttime temperatures below 75°F during the summer. Prices range from $200 to $800, and it's best to hire a pro to do the installation.
We recommend you choose a large-capacity fan, which will make less noise running at a low speed than a small fan will operating at high speed. Be sure the contractor installs the fan with rubber or felt gaskets to dampen noise.
Whole-house fans require an opening between the living space and the attic, but that opening can allow cold air to infiltrate your living space in winter. So if you live in a cold-weather climate, install an airtight insulated cover over the opening to prevent heat loss—and higher utility bills—during the winter. e-mail | Twitter
Essential information: Use our buyer's guide to air conditioning and read up on portable air conditioners, split-ductless cooling systems, and ceiling fans. And find out how to keep cool for less this summer. For more on whole house fans, download this PDF from the DOE: Whole-house fans.
Previous
Posted by: Robert | May 11, 2009 8:45:35 PM
I just had one of these installed in my home and it works great.
I was considering the AirScape 1.7 or the Tamarack 1600 at first. I finally decided to go with the SuburbanFan QC1500.
It might be called Quiet Cool 1500. I bought it online at www.SuburbanFan.com They threw in a free remote too !! This company is pretty cool because they have most of the whole house fan manufacturers in one spot on their site- with how to video etc...
Oh yeah... Another thing I liked about this company is that they did not bad rap any of the manufacturers they just presented the facts and a real person answered my questions I liked that.
Posted by: Cody W | May 23, 2009 11:08:40 AM
We have 3,800 sq feet home and installed the Quiet Cool fans. We installed two QC-1500 in each bedroom and a QC-4500 in the hallway. We also installed their Envirocool downstairs. These fans work great and are very quiet. We run them all night in the summer months. We bought ours online at www.quietcoolfan.com
Posted by: Bev Gerlach | May 28, 2009 4:35:23 PM
I wish Consumers Reports would do a whole house fan review its desperately needed right now.
Posted by: DONALD GRECO | Jun 11, 2009 8:03:48 AM
i LOOKED AT THE qUIET COOL , AIRSCAPE AND TAMARACK. i WENT WITH THE TAMARACK 1600 BECAUSE OF THE INSULATED DOORS. THE INSTALLATION WAS EASY AND THIER CUSTOMER SERVICE WALKED ME THRU THE WHOLE PROCESS.
Posted by: George Glines | Jun 14, 2009 3:39:45 PM
I don't know what brands I've had over 30 years but we've always had what was once called an attic fan. I've had them installed in two houses and will NEVER be without one. I've had one electric motor replaced. We live in southern KS and the fan cools the house most of the summer. I turn it on even on the hottest days to first blow that 130 degree air from the attic, then use the central air if needed like on brutally hot days or very humid days. Blowing out that hot air makes a huge difference in the AC cooling the house. I'm home all day and most days close up the house to keep the cool night air in until late afternoon. We use a timer switch at night and it goes off around 1 AM or whenever we want. We also run a ceiling fan in our BR all night. Our electric bills are NEVER over $90 unless we have house guests who insist on fulltime AC during their stay....
Posted by: Kathleen | Jul 13, 2009 2:22:40 PM
I agree that it seems time for Consumer Reports to review whole house fans. I live without air conditioning in Southern California. On days where the temperature is over 90 during the day my attic gets so hot that the furnace fan kicks on, so I actually have to unplug the furnace. A whole house fan would be perfect for the few unbearably hot weeks we have here, but I don't have any idea which brand is best.
Posted by: Robert B | Aug 10, 2009 5:52:51 PM
I also live in Southern California where a whole house fan is ideal. There appears to be several major vendors but without a good evaluation by CR, I'm flying blind. I would also suggest CR refresh all energy saving product reviews, and also evaluate energy products not presently reviewed.
Posted by: J. Rowe | Aug 11, 2009 10:35:13 PM
We live in AZ..in the Valley where temps can reach 115 degrees and sometimes more. Would a whole house fan be practical, for when we have some nights in the low 110's aor 90's during the summer, we would never leave windows open.
Posted by: Chris | Sep 22, 2009 9:10:14 PM
We live in PHX and we have one and will never be without one. Can run it after monsoon season and until in warms up at night. (usually April) We live in a 3000 sq foot house and the inside air will match the outside air. Guests that come over are amazed how much air is drawn in. In response to J. Rowe, you have to leave a window open or it wont work.