Does an Attic Fan Really Cool off Your House?

Updated on June 19, 2008
J.P. asks from Skokie, IL
8 answers

Hi Moms,

I was just wondering if I should get an attic fan installed in my house. Does it really cut your electric bill and help to cool your house? If you are noticing some good results from your attic fan, I would also like to get referrals from a company that sells and installs them. Also... how much will this approx. cost me?

Thanks so much in advance. I feel a bit more at ease when I hire someone that other moms have recommended!

J.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for responding to my request about attic fans. We called the company that Melissa recommended. (Attic Air) The owner (Robert) and two other guys came out to install an attic fan. They also noticed that my bathroom fan just pulls steam into my attic. So I had them install a hose that got connected to the bathroom fan and the steam now is vented out through the roof. The guys were friendly and I can already tell the difference in the bedroom that was so hot before (even with the air conditioner on. )It's not so hot in there anymore!
Thanks again so much.
J.

Featured Answers

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

i just had one put in this week and we have noticed a differnces. It cost us 495 and it has a warranty for life, he do sell cheaper ones. But we picked this one because of the warranty. They were suoer fast and nice, Attic Air is the company. Good Luck

1 mom found this helpful

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J.

answers from Chicago on

Hi - We had a whole house fan in the house I grew up in - I forgot about them! (Now that I read the other response, I think it's different than an attic fan.)
What I do remember was that on summer nights when the house was still hot but the night air outside had cooled off, my Dad would pull that fan cord to start a fan in our attic, and a wonderful cool breeze would get pulled into the house through the windows and instantly cool down the entire house - great for sleeping! I don't think we could use it during the day as it would just pull the hot outside air in. And I don't remember if they were real noisy (I don't think so).
I do remember my Mom saying there was a lot more dust/dirt in the house when they did use the whole house fan, so if allergies/dust are an issue, it may not be a good idea.
Good luck!
J.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.T.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, I have a attic fan and for four years I never turned on my central air.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.E.

answers from Chicago on

Attic fans are designed to pull the hot air out of the attic and get the air circulating. If you get a attic fan make sure that is temperature controlled. When it is hot it will kick in and when the temperature drops it will not run. If you get a manual run attic fan you will have to turn it off and on.

The fan that really cools you house is a whole house fan. It pulls the hot air out of you house and puts it in the attic and the attic fan shoots it back outside. It really make the air circulate in your house.

Make sure to get an union electrician the insured and bonded if needed in your city. Don't forget to get the contract and warranty in writing.

Good Luck,
S.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.N.

answers from Chicago on

Attic fans not only help with keeping the house cool, they also help in the life of your roof. The wood that is under shingles needs to be kept cool during the hot summer days.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.M.

answers from Chicago on

We just put one in last summer and we have seen a huge difference. We had someone from I believe Home Depot come and do it, and the difference on the 2nd floor of our house is tremendous.

1 mom found this helpful

B.K.

answers from Chicago on

We have a whole house fan (which is installed in our upstairs hallway) and an attic fan. The attic fan is on automatic, and the whole house fan I run manually. I think it is a great thing! It cools off the house quickly and gets the air circulating. I don't run my air as often as some do. It is loud, though, if you are upstairs trying to sleep. We are used to it though. I couldn't tell you the brand. Our handyman installed it about 10 years ago. We've never had a problem with it.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.Z.

answers from Chicago on

Hi! We just had an attic fan installed this week because our neighbors told us theirs greatly improved the upstairs temperature and reduced their utilities by 15-20%. We used INS Services in Naperville. Its temperature controlled so when it hits 95 degrees in the attic it turns on long enough to cool it down again. I believe the attic fan was just over $400.

http://www.ins-services.com/AtticFans.htm

1 mom found this helpful
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