Attic Fan Versus Air Conditioner

Just make sure you have the right climate to use one.

Attic fan versus air conditioner. Running a fan is always a lot cheaper than running an air conditioner. When the conditions are right whole house fans are an energy efficient alternative to central air conditioning systems. A three ton central air unit a common cooling system runs on about 3 kilowatts and costs about 36 cents an hour to run. Keep in mind that they re doing two separate things.

The cost of air conditioning vs. When used in conjunction with an air conditioner ceiling fans may allow you to set your thermostat at a higher temperature and still be comfortable thereby reducing your overall energy consumption. When set at low speed fans use between 15 and 30 watts and at high speed they consume between 50 and 100 watts. Rooftop fans are installed right on top of the roof and perform two tasks at once.

Both types of attic fans are popular as solar powered equipment. Expelling the stagnant air and replacing it with cooler air. Compared to an air conditioning unit whole house fans are much less expensive to operate more environmentally friendly and more efficient at cooling. According to the article.

Attic ventilation fans help cool air your attic by pushing out the stifling hot air from inside the attic and bringing in cool air from outside. Doubters of attic fan efficiency claim that even solar powered attic fans which cost more initially but run off the grid can take 20 years to provide a return on the investment. In most parts of the country including colorado and during most parts of the year a whole house fan can adequately substitute for an a c system and provide a lovely living environment. An air conditioner while serving many of the same purposes is different than a whole house fan.

A whole house fan moves air throughout the entire home including the living space and attic while an attic fan merely circulates air inside the attic. Energy usage of about 40 watts at medium speed is typical. In others you ll need air. This prevents hot air from seeping into your home and driving up the temperature in the living space which reduces the load on your air conditioner.

In some instances a fan will suffice. One to blow in the other to blow out. Since gable attic fans remove the hottest air in the home your air conditioner will be more efficient and you may be able to run it less while still effectively cooling your home. Using attic fans in cold climates.

A good window ac unit runs on 1 2 kilowatts and costs 14 cents an hour to run. Gable fans operate as two separate units on opposite sides of the attic. An attic fan may not reduce your air conditioning costs but a whole house fan is a different story.