What is the Difference Between Roof Mounted Attic Fans and Gable Mounted Attic Fans?

There are numerous reasons why proper attic ventilation is essential and attic fans, sometimes referred to as powered attic ventilators, are designed to meet these needs. Attic fans are a type of ventilation unit that regulates the home’s or attic’s heat levels. They take hot interior air from the attic and expel it outward.

Two different types of attic fans are the roof mounted attic fan and the gable mounted attic fan. But, what’s the difference?

Roof-Mounted Attic Fans: These types of attic fans require a vent hole near the top of the roof. The fan will sit on a plastic or metal base over the vent hole. Once you mount the fan, you’ll place some shingle sheets around and over the base flashing. An example is the SmartAttic Roof Mount Fan SMT 2.0 2116 CFM.

Gable-Mounted Attic Fans: Like a roof-mounted attic fan, a gable fan is a fan you install in your home’s attic to help ventilate it. They help decrease wear on your attic’s materials while decreasing the ambient temperature, helping to bring your electric bill down. An example is the QuietCool Smart Attic Gable Fan – 2830 CFM.

Deciding Between a Roof Fan and Gable Fan
There are several things to consider when deciding on whether you want to install a roof fan or a gable fan. These considerations are:

Energy Efficiency: Roof fans are made now with solar options which draw in electricity from the mounted solar panels on your home’s roof. Some gable models also use solar power, but they don’t receive as much sun exposure and aren’t as efficient.

Cooling Capacity: When considering the cubic feet per minute, a gable fan has the advantage due to it being made in a substantially larger size than the roof fan.

Installation and Maintenance: The roof fan is easier to install than the gable fan unless you already have a gable vent in place.

Attic fans work hard to maintain the temperature of your attic, keeping it bearable and cool. As heat rises occasionally, the fan might often shift heat into other rooms of your home through the vents.

You’ll need added attic fan power to expel hot air for extra heat filtering in your home.

While your attic fan could last up to 10 years, when heat continues to build up in the motor, it can cause the fan to start slowing down, making noises and maybe even stop running altogether.

Keeping your attic fan, whether roof mounted or gable, well-maintained will help save on your home’s energy costs. Roof or gable mounted fans will vary, but they’ll likely require the same steps for replacing them.

Be sure you follow all replacement guidelines and safety rules to keep the process hassle-free and as seamless as possible.

Have more questions about the differences between a roof-mounted attic fan and a gable-mounted attic fan? If so, give us a call here at WholeHouseFan.com at 1.888.229.5757.