These tips help you get the most out of your whole house fan, whatever the season.
What is a whole house fan, and how does it work?
Whole house fans are like regular fans, only bigger. They’re mounted in the attic of your home and then draw cool air into the bottom of your house and push it up through the top.
Whole-house fans are particularly useful for cooling smaller homes or those with multiple levels because they can circulate air from floor to ceiling and from room to room without any restrictions. They’re also useful for lowering humidity levels in your home, which can help prevent mold growth on surfaces such as wood floors or drywall walls.
How to Use a Whole House Fan in the Summer
If you live in an area where the summers are hot and humid, a whole house fan can help make your home more comfortable.
Use During the Night to Naturally Cool your Home and Lower Energy Bills
A whole house fan is a great way to cool your home without using an air conditioning unit. It’s particularly effective at night because it draws in cooler air from outside and exhausts hot air from the top of your home. The result is a more comfortable indoor temperature and less energy used for cooling.
While a whole house fan can be installed in any season, they work best when the outside air temperature is lower than inside. When used in conjunction with an air conditioning unit, a whole house fan can reduce the time your air conditioner runs. Quite simply, this will save you money on your electricity bill and prevent wear and tear on the HVAC unit itself.
How to Use a Whole House Fan in the Winter
Whole house fans are a great addition to your home in the summer, but they can also be helpful when it’s cold outside.
Get Rid of Stale Air
The aim of whole house fans is to move large amounts of air through your home. The fan pulls in outside air and blows it through your ductwork, distributing it throughout the home.
The benefit of this is that it can reduce the amount of dust and allergens in your home by circulating the air through different rooms.
Reduces Moisture Buildup Inside
Whole house fans reduce moisture buildup inside your home by drawing in cool, dry air from outside. This helps prevent mold and mildew from forming on walls and ceilings in humid climates.
Not only this, but they are also an excellent choice for homes with poor ventilation. They increase airflow, helping to eliminate odors and provide ventilation in areas most needed.
Vent Cooking Smells
Whole house fans are a great way to get rid of the nasty cooking smells that build up in your home. When you cook, you’ll probably notice that the smell of food permeates through the air and into your clothes.
Turn on your whole house fan before you start cooking. The more time it has to run, the less likely the smell will linger.
Extra Operating Tips
Here are some things to remember when using a whole house fan.
Close the Fireplace Flue when Using a Whole House Fan
A whole house fan pulls air into the attic from all over your home, including from around fireplace flues. If a fireplace flue is open when you use a whole house fan, soot and ash will be pulled into the unit and dumped into your home.
Unfortunately, this can irritate health problems for anyone with asthma or allergies.
Don’t Use Your Whole House Fan When the Humidity is High
One problem with using your whole house fan in high humidity is that it can cause condensation on the walls and windows of your home. This can lead to mold and mildew growth, posing health risks for your family.
Want to find out more about whole house fans? Contact the HVAC experts at ASI today.