How An Attic Fan Fits Into an Overall Energy-Savings Strategy

Energy costs continue to rise and homeowners constantly struggle to keep them under control. It pays to have an overall energy-savings strategy that includes a home energy audit, air-conditioner tune-ups and seasonal maintenance. Those are the obvious things, but something that isn’t so obvious is installing an attic ventilation fan.

When the Florida sun beats down, it can raise the temperature in your attic to more than 150 degrees. Attic ventilation is a must to keep that heat buildup from driving your energy costs through the roof.

Passive attic ventilation (ridge vents, rafter vents, dormer vents and gable vents) release heat, but only as fast as the warm air rises and forces itself out. An attic fan will draw the heat out of your attic quickly, lowering the temperature significantly. Thermostatically-controlled attic fans will lower your attic’s temperature to nearly ambient temperatures.

When the heat builds up in your attic, it will naturally transfer to the structural members (trusses, rafters, ceilings) and eventually migrate into your living space. This forces your A/C to work harder in order to maintain a comfortable temperature. An attic fan removes the heat, so your HVAC system works less to cool your home.

Removing the heat from your attic has additional benefits other than lowering your energy bills:

• It will increase the life expectancy of your HVAC equipment by decreasing the work load.
• Your home will be more comfortable thanks to more consistent temperatures.
• You will have a more storage-friendly attic without damaging heat and humidity.
• The reduced temperatures will result in less moisture, which can cause structural damage as well as promote the growth of mold and mildew if it’s not kept under control.

The benefits of an attic fan make it a wise investment and a key piece of your overall energy-savings strategy. If you would like to learn more about attic fans, contact the experts at Rinaldi’s Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving central Florida homeowners since 1969.