The Dynamics Behind the Success of Whole House Fans

by George Karonis

Need a quick and efficient way to improve the ventilation in your home? Forget about buying a brand-new air conditioning unit. You can install a whole house fan instead.

How whole house fans work to cool your home

Why should you invest in a whole home fan? These cooling systems are designed to pull cool air from outside your home, pushing the hot air indoors to the attic and allowing it to escape outside. In comparison, central air conditioning units only circulate chemically cooled air inside the house without pulling in outdoor air.

Because of their unique cooling mechanism, whole house fans are significantly more efficient than AC units. In fact, some models can reduce your AC usage and, in turn, your utility bills by up to 90%.

Take note that whole home fans can vary depending on how much space you need to cool. This is indicated by the system’s CFM rating or the number of cubic feet of air it can move per minute. You’ll need to consider the following factors:

  • Your home’s total square footage, excluding the basement
  • Your desired cooling effects
  • Possible fire hazards in your home, such as an attic with a gas heater or furnace

Generally, you need at least 2 CFM of cooling capacity for moderate airflow, but for the best results, consider going as high as 3 CFM. So, for example, if the room you want to cool is around 1000 square feet, you’ll need a fan that can move 2000 CFM to 3000 CFM of air.

In addition, here are some tips to ensure that your whole house fan works properly:

  • Seal the fan during the winter to prevent heat loss and high energy bills
  • Avoid using the fan on humid days
  • Avoid running the fan and an air conditioner simultaneously
  • Talk to your supplier about the optimal number of windows to be opened when your fan is running

 

Lastly, don’t forget to purchase your whole house fan from a reliable and experienced supplier to ensure that it works efficiently!
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