Keep Your Home Cool With The Best Attic Fan in 2022
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Natural Light Energy SAF24B Attic Fan -
Ventamatic CFM Roof Mount Solar Attic Fan -
Broan Gable Attic Fan -
Ventamatic Power Gable Attic Fan -
Honeywell 12-Watt Gable Mount Solar Powered Attic Fan Model 527SHON103BLK -
Buyer's Guide
If you've ever gone into your attic during the heat of the summer, it can be as stifling as a dry sauna. Heat trapped inside your attic could damage roofing materials and make it harder to cool your home. Installing an attic fan exhausts hot attic air to equalize temperature, reduces home deterioration, and helps save on your energy bill, especially if ductwork runs through the attic. Typically powered by electricity or the sun, attic fans are available in both roof mount and gable mount versions. We've put together a list of what we think to be the top attic fans on the market right now, both roof and gable mounted. Read on to use our buying guide to pick out the right one for what you need!
Our Top Five Fans for Your Attic
Natural Light Energy SAF24B Attic Fan - Best Attic Fans Overall
The Natural Light Energy Systems 30-Watt Roof Mounted Attic Fan installs in about one hour on many different roof types, such as flat, sloped, asphalt and wood shake. The 30-watt adjustable solar panel uses the sun to power the 36-volt DC motor and can move up to 1,550 cubic feet of air per minute in order to cool a 2,500 square foot attic. The solar panel attaches to the top of the fan housing and its angles can be adjusted for the best exposure to the sun. Installing the Natural Light solar attic fan may qualify you for a solar tax credit and can reduce the heat buildup in your attic, saving you money on your energy costs. This solar attic fan comes with a 25 year warranty on the fan housing, fan and solar panel.
Ventamatic CFM Roof Mount Solar Attic Fan - Runner Up
The Ventamatic Solar Powered Roof Attic Ventilator is a solar powered attic fan that utilizes the power of the sun. Its 12.6-watt, multi-crystal panel mounts on the roof next to the fan to capture the sunlight and charge the 18-volt DC motor. This attic fan does not require any electrical wiring, so it is simple to install. The solar powered motor moves up to 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute and is designed to cool attics up to 1,500 square feet. The exterior of the fan is constructed of heavy-duty galvanized steel, and the solar panel has high impact tempered cell casings to resist hail, impacting winds and flying debris. It also features a steel mesh grill to keep unwanted pests from entering your attic through the fan housing. This Ventamatic solar powered attic fan comes with a five-year limited warranty on the motor.
Broan Gable Attic Fan - Honorable Mention
The Broan Gable Mount Powered Attic Ventilator has a 3.4-amp motor that drives the 14-inch diameter steel blade fan. This 20-volt electric attic fan moves up to 1,140 cubic feet of air per minute and can reduce the heat in an attic up to 1,630 square feet. This attic fan comes with a built-in thermostat to automatically cycle off and on when the ambient air in the attic reaches within 10 degrees of your chosen temperature setting. The Broan Gable mounted attic fan reduces the temperature in the attic, so your air conditioning system doesn’t have to work so hard. This attic fan comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Ventamatic Power Gable Attic Fan - Consider
The Ventamatic Power Gable Ventilator Fan can reduce heat buildup in a 1,850 square foot attic. It uses a 14-inch diameter fan that can exhaust up to 1,300 cubic feet of air per minute. The Ventamatic gable ventilator mounts directly behind existing louvers at the end of your attic, or behind automatic gable shutters. This attic fan requires a 20-volt connection to power the fan. An automatic, adjustable thermostat comes with this attic fan. You can set the temperature to turn on the fan automatically whenever the temperature in the attic reaches between 90 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The attic fan will continue to run as long as the temperature remains above the thermostat setting. This unit is provided with a limited two-year manufacturer's warranty.
Honeywell 12-Watt Gable Mount Solar Powered Attic Fan Model 527SHON103BLK - Best Attic Fans
The Honeywell 12-Watt Gable Mount Solar Powered Attic Fan installs quickly inside your attic, while the solar panel connects directly to your roof. This attic fan features a 12-watt commercial grade solar panel that powers the 24-volt attic fan motor. A built-in thermal switch automatically turns the fan on once the temperature inside the attic reaches 85-degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature inside the attic is reduced to below 65-degrees Fahrenheit, the thermal switch automatically turns off the fan. This solar-powered attic fan is truly a do-it-yourself installation; no electrician, inspection or permits required. The unit comes with a five-year warranty on the motor and a 20 year warranty on the solar panel and solar housing.
Buyer's Guide
Our comprehensive buyer's guide will take you through all there is to know about attic fans and how exactly to buy one.
Benefits of Attic Fans: Does My Attic Really Need One?
We see that you're wondering whether your attic really needs a fan or not. Well, let us take you through two benefits of an attic fan that make them a must-have for your home.
Cools your home
This one's odd, isn't it? How can a fan that is blasting air all the way up in the attic lower temperatures in your house's living areas? Well, since it is the hottest room of the house, your attic can increase the overall temperatures of your house's living areas, especially those whose ceiling meets the floors of your attic.
By simply ventilating the room with an attic fan during the hottest parts of the day, you can lower the overall temperatures of your home. This will also help you slash cooling costs since your air conditioner will now have a little buddy giving it a much-needed helping hand.
Extends your roof's life
Do you know that over time, humidity can seriously damage your roof? Well, moisture tends to rise with the heat. So, if you live in a humid region, chances are a large amount of moisture ends up in your attic. This can cause mold and mildew to grow there and no one wants that. The easy solution to protect your roof from this nuisance is to ventilate your attic with a fan.
What Are the Different Types of Attic Fans?
Generally speaking, you can buy three types of attic fans based on the resource that powers it up.
- Electric
- Solar
- Wind-Powered
Now, let's look at the factors that differentiate each type from one another.
Electric
Electric attic fans utilize our good friend, electricity, to power themselves up. These bad boys usually also boast thermostats in their designs. What this does is the fan gets automatically toggled on or off depending upon the room's temperature. Furthermore, electrical attic fans are also great at funneling large amounts of air in a very short period. Efficiency through and through.
Solar
Solar attic fans are some of the cheapest and most popular attic fans available. By utilizing radiation from the sun, these devices slash your power bills and also contribute to the green movement- that's a resounding 'yes' all around.
On the flip side, these fans can't really work their magic when sunlight is low. Nevertheless, the best solar fans, like the ones on our list, have sufficient batteries to last you through many days of darkness.
Wind-powered
If you're all for the green revolution but don't really fancy a solar-powered attic fan, a wind-powered one may just be for you. However, it is important to note that this type of attic fan will only work in windy regions since that is what generates its power. When these fans work, they operate with excellence and can be a great way to reduce your power bills.
What Should I Look for in an Attic Fan?
We recommend considering two factors when you're in the market for a new attic fan.
CFM
CFM, or cubic feet per minute, is a rather fancy term, isn't it? Well, it basically signifies the area that the attic fan will ventilate. This number is usually found on the product page or package.
So, what CFM does your attic need? Well, this can be found by measuring the room's cubic footage. You basically multiply the floor's square footage by the room's height. A larger attic will require a fan with a higher CFM rating and vice versa.
Thermostat
Unless you're living in a horror movie, chances are that your visits to the attic would be rare. So, the fan must be able to toggle itself on or off without you having to pay it a visit. It is for this very reason that the highest-quality attic fans boast pre-programmable thermostats. They may be adjusted to control the fan according to the room's temperature.
How Much Do Attic Fans Cost?
Attic fans can cost you anywhere from $50 to upwards of $500 depending on their size and features. As the price tag goes up, you can start expecting a fan that has a superior build quality, has high CFM ratings, and boasts advanced features like a thermostat and a humidistat.
We must mention that like with most devices, a high price tag doesn't really guarantee a superior attic fan. It is no use spending on a fan with high CFM if your attic is small. What is important is that you seek a high price to performance ratio and spend according to your needs.
Some Attic Fan Buyers Ask
We all know that an article without an FAQ section is a boring one. So, here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding attic fans.
Q: Do attic fans really help?
A: Attics are prone to reach extremely high temperatures due to their exposure to direct sunlight. With an attic fan ventilating the room, you can expect the attic's temperature to go down. This will in turn cool your living areas and also help you save on cooling expenses. Furthermore, attic fans also extend your roof's life by preventing the buildup of moisture.
Q: What should I look for in an attic fan?
A: The best attic fans are not only great at ventilation but are also easy to assemble and operate quietly. We recommend looking for ones with a built-in thermostat and a CFM rating that is adequate for your attic's size.
Q: What's the difference between an attic fan and a whole house fan?
A: A whole house fan is all about drawing out the air from your entire house and throwing it in the attic. What the attic fan does is that it takes the air inside the attic and ventilates it outside.
