The Best Attic Fan for Maximum Ventilation
The best attic exhaust fan complements a whole house fan. Together, they will effectively remove hot air from your home and improve your indoor air quality. Proper attic venting will keep the attic cooler during the summer months while preventing moisture issues down the line. If you’re looking to improve your home’s ventilation without breaking the bank, an attic fan might be best for you. It may even minimize your need to use air-conditioning all the time.
How does it work?
For attic ventilation to be effective it needs both exhaust and intake vents. The best attic exhaust fan is technically a powered exhaust fan that quickly removes air from the attic while simultaneously drawing fresh outdoor air from the intake vents, which are typically installed at the roof’s soffit.
Selecting an attic fan
If you check online, you’ll find a wide range of attic exhaust fans available in different sizes and price points. Each fan is categorized by cubic foot per minute (CFM), which measures how much air it can move per foot per minute. You have to measure your attic and determine its size to determine the best CFM for your attic fan. You can do this by multiplying the width by the length of your attic floor. For instance, if your attic is 20’ wide by 50’ long, then that’s 1,000 square feet.
Consider investing in a smart attic fan with intuitive controls, so it is easy to use. You also have to make sure that you have enough space to accommodate the best attic exhaust fan. It is typically installed 20 inches below the peak of the roof and centrally located. Intake vents must be at the soffit of the roof, open, and clear of debris, so they can efficiently take in fresh outdoor air and push out the moist or hot air out of the attic. An average attic requires 600 square inches of net free air space for proper cross ventilation.