Whole House vs. Attic Fan

Buying an older home can provide the opportunity to live in an atmosphere of a bygone era while enjoying the benefits of more modern conveniences.

While technological developments have allowed for the retrofitting of certain household systems –ductless air conditioners are one saving grace for homes heated by no-duct systems such as radiators or fireplaces – it can sometimes take a bit of research to determine the right device to help with the limitations of a pre-modern home.

One issue of concern to many owners of older homes is whether to install some sort of exhaust system to help maintain a livable temperature, with or without the added benefit of an air conditioning system. The two kinds of exhaust systems most discussed are attic fans and whole house fans.

Some key differences between the two:

A whole house fan is typically mounted between the living space and the attic, above. You’ve likely seen a whole house fan vent, either open or closed, mounted in the ceiling at the top of a flight of stairs leading to a house’s upper floor. These fans usually run only during cooler hours of the morning or evening in order to draw cool, fresh air into the house through open windows. At the same time, these fans force hot, stale air into the attic, where it can then be expelled into the atmosphere through roof vents.

Attic fans, by contrast, are mounted between the attic space and the outside atmosphere – this can be done through the roof or at a gable vent opening. These fans run during the day when temperatures are highest, removing over-heated air from the attic. This process helps to reduce the overall temperature of your home by keeping the heat levels as low as possible. There isn’t much chance for heat to continue to rise beyond your home’s second story if the attic air above it is of a higher temperature.

Questions about how an attic or whole house fan might work for your home? Contact AC World today!