Can you run a whole house fan all day?

Whole house fans can be ran at any time of the day, however, depending on the time of year and the goal you have, the time of day may be different. For cooling purposes during the warmer months of the year, Whole house fans are designed to run whenever it is cooler outside than inside your home.

Can I leave the whole house fan on all the time?

Running a house fan all night

Actually, it is recommended to run a whole house exhaust fans overnight. This way, you are cooling more than just the air, you are reducing the temperature of your home's entire structure.

When should you not use a whole house fan?

The whole house fan should be turned on in the evening hours when temperatures outdoors are cooler, and when the air is dry and cool. Avoid turning on the fan during the day when temperatures are high, or when the air is humid, as it provides you with limited or no benefits in your home.

Can you use a whole house fan without opening windows?

In order for the home ventilation system to work correctly, windows need to be open. If your whole house fan turns on automatically and the windows are not open, it can pull air from your fireplace causing ash and soot to stain your furniture and carpet.

How many windows should be open when using a whole house fan?

Generally, at least one window should be open while using your whole house fan so that the cooler outside air can replace the hotter inside air. Opening two or more windows partway is usually preferable to just opening one window.

Whole House Fan the pros and cons

Can whole house fans cause mold?

As a roofer, we see it all too often; whole home fans allowing warm air to infiltrate a cold attic during the winter months. This causes condensation resulting in mold growth. This is especially true with older fans.

Do whole house fans bring in dust?

Some types of whole-house fans bring air from the outside and at the same time push air out of your house. In these cases, it makes sense to have a filter, as the outdoor air could contain contaminants, especially dust or, if you live in a metropolitan area, exhaust fumes.

Are whole house fans healthy?

Whole house fans are a more natural solution for whole-house ventilation. Whole house fans can provide air changes anywhere between 30-60 times in an hour. This keeps the air in the room fresher and healthier. As they cool the house by bringing in fresh air from outside, they can also be friendly for the environment.

What happens if a fan runs continuously?

Running your system on constant fan will run air through your filter more often, reducing the amount of dust your family breathes in your home.

Are whole house fans a fire hazard?

Whole House Fans are one of the best appliances to add to your home, but often homeowners will ask if they're dangerous, especially when the homeowner has a gas pilot furnace. The short answer is absolutely not, as long as you run a whole house fan with open windows.

Do whole house fans cost a lot to run?

Energy Savings with a Whole House Fan

Fans are simple motors with blades attached. They don't cost much to operate. The QC Guys estimate that a modern whole house fan in California at a rate of 16.7 cents per kWh (I pay 14.3 cents per kWh in MI) will cost 6.5 cents per hour on high and 1.8 cents per hour on low.

How often should I run my whole house fan?

For cooling purposes during the warmer months of the year, Whole house fans are designed to run whenever it is cooler outside than inside your home. This is oftentimes during the early morning and nighttime hours. Because of this, most customers run their Whole house fan all night long on a timer.

How many hours a fan can run continuously?

Although it could run for over a 24 hour period, it is still best to turn off your ceiling fan when you are at work or out of the house for an extended time to give the ceiling fans' motor a rest and reduce electricity use and cost.

Is it OK to run just the fan without AC?

Professional air conditioning repair technicians actually advise against this, however; while it's true that the fan alone uses less energy than the AC, it will almost certainly result in higher utility bills. Running the fan constantly also increases your system's maintenance needs.

Do whole house fans need to be cleaned?

Since whole house fans move a lot of air, they should be cleaned regularly. Whenever you are attempting to clean a whole house fan, safety is key.

Should I run my whole house fan in the summer?

A whole-house fan will keep the residents cool part of the time. Fans do not reduce temperature or humidity. When outdoor air is hot and moist, whole-house fans are not effective. They work best when the outdoor air is dry and cool.

How long do whole house fans last?

Most whole house fans are warranted for somewhere between 5 and 15 years.

Why is my whole house fan so loud?

Rattling and banging most likely means the fan blades are banging against the housing as they turn. It sounds like a helicopter with bad blades is sitting on your roof. This will mean it's time to replace it or remove it because it's not a motor problem.

What is the difference between an attic fan and a whole house fan?

Definitions of whole house fan vs. attic fan vary by region, causing some confusion. In a nutshell, whole house fans are designed to run after sundown, using cool night air to ventilate and cool your entire living space. Attic fans are designed to run on hot sunny days to clear super-heated air from your attic.

What happens if you run a whole house fan with the windows closed?

Without proper ventilation, powerful whole-house fans can create a backdraft in your furnace or water heater, potentially causing carbon monoxide to be pulled into your rooms. Operating the fan without open windows may also cause the fan to overheat.

How hot is an attic on a 100 degree day?

Thanks to the radiant heat affect, attic temperatures on a 100-degree day can reach 170 degrees or more.

Do whole house fans reduce humidity?

Whole house fans do not affect indoor air quality (unlike other types of cooling systems). Whole house fans lower the temperature inside your home without reducing humidity levels unlike air conditioners, so there is no need to worry about creating the perfect environment for allergens and other irritants.

Can house fans start fires?

Although you may not think about it frequently, your bathroom exhaust fan is like any other electrical appliance. And like others, these exhaust fans can pose a fire risk if they aren't properly maintained.

Where should I put my whole house fan?

Typically, whole house fans are placed in the attic between the living space and ceiling. The central hallway is a great place to install your fan in many homes. To install your whole house fan you or your contractor marks your ceiling or wall opening using the premade template.