Are you currently using an electric attic fan or some sort of electric ventilation system at home? Then have you ever thought of installing a solar attic fan? When most people think of solar products, they immediately think “expensive!”, but when we investigated getting a solar powered attic fan and compared it to conventional ventilation systems, it was obvious which way we were going to go.

There are so many clear benefits for getting a solar attic fan, that you would be crazy not to invest in one. But before we delve into the reasons for buying one, we will quickly explain how a solar powered attic fan works:

A solar attic fan is a solar powered vertical turbine, that is installed on the highest point on your roof – usually the attic (hence the name). As soon as the sun hits the solar panels, the turbine starts to spin, drawing warm air out of the house.

As the sun rises further and the temperature in the house rises, the warm air in the house naturally rises to the attic, where it is then sucked out by the fan. This warm air is replaced by cool air that is drawn in from outside. And your house stays cool!

Okay, now that you understand how it works, let’s explain why a solar powered attic fan is such a good investment:

1 – Easy Cheap Installation:

When  electric attic fans are installed, they need to be wired up to your electricity. This wiring obviously needs to be done by a qualified electrician with an electricity permit and inspection. This costs money, and it can take up to 6 hours to get the system working.

On the other hand, a solar attic fan has its own power source  – the sun -  so no wiring is needed. This means you require no electricity permits to install the fan. All you need to do is follow the accompanying step-by-step instructions. And at most it will take you 2 hours to get it working.

2 – Non-Stop Operation:

With an electric attic fan, to save power, it is usually equipped with a thermostat. This regulates the operation of the fan, so that it only spins once the attic reaches a certain temperature – usually 125 degrees Fahrenheit. The drawback to this is that by the time the ventilation starts the house is already warm (remember warm air rises), so it will take some time for it to cool down.

However, since a solar powered attic fan uses no electricity, it can operate all day long, from when the sun rises until a little after the sun sets. So air is constantly circulating in your home, regardless of the temperature, keeping your home well-ventilated and cool.

3 – Prolongs Roof Life:

If you haven’t installed an attic fan yet, then maybe it is time you invested in a solar attic fan. The reason?

During cold winter months heat trapped in your attic can melt snow on your roof. As the the water trickles down, it collects and refreezes in the cooler eaves or gutters, leading to costly and destructive ice damming. By having a solar powered attic fan, it requires minimal sunlight to operate and keep the attic cool.

Furthermore, warm moisture from showering and cooking tends to rise and get trapped in the attic. This leads to mold and mildew that can saturate your insulation and cause fungal decay and destruction of your roof frame and decking. With a solar attic fan, the attic stays well-ventilated, preventing any mildew from growing.

4 – Did We Say Free Energy?

Electric ventilation systems tend to use a lot of power, leading to higher electricity bills, especially during summer months.

Whereas, with a solar powered attic fan, it requires none of your household power to operate. All it needs is some sunlight – which when we last checked was FREE. So the only cost you have to worry about is the initial investment. After that, it costs absolutely nothing to operate it.

Also, most states offer tax incentives for installing renewable energy technology at home.  This lowers the initial cost of a solar attic fan.

5 – Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:

Electric fans need power to operate. And where does that power come from? Well, burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil, and nuclear power station – which all emit carbon that pollutes our air and causes global warming.

A solar attic fan, on the other hand, use no electricity, so it helps reduce your carbon footprint, thus helping the environment.

So many people talk about “green this” and “green that”, but very few actually get involved. Now that you know how easy, cost-effective, and “green” it is to install a solar powered attic fan, you can “walk the talk” and actually live a greener, cleaner life.

A DIY installed solar attic fan starts at around $400 (excl. tax and incentives), which is a small price to pay for free ventilation and reducing your energy dependence.

Copyright (c) 2009 Elda Titus

“More gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than has been taken from the earth.” By Napoleon Hill

The American Institute of Architects estimates 90 % of U.S. high levels of moisture in the homes.

Adding a cupola provides passive ventilation to the roof allowing trapped heat to escape with a natural flow in an upward direction through the sides of the cupola.

A roof saver, attic ventilation is all about circulating air to reduce moisture and bring in fresh air.

According to studies conducted by the U.S. Dept. of Energy and the American Society of heating and cooling engineers the benefits of roof ventilation is supported.

Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency in the summer.

In an unventilated attic the roof sheathing may reach a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is in the 90′s.

The attic heats from direct sunlight on the roof that radiates heat. This is then transmitted through the roofing material to the attic floor or the top surface of the ceilings insulation, causing the attic air to become heated.

The attic floor then acts as a “hot plate,” radiating warm air in the rooms below, causing an increase in your air conditioning requirements.

A ridge vent, such as a functional cupola, helps provide air circulation in the attic and allows for excessive attic air to escape through its sides on the top of the roof.

Suffit vents found along the bottom perimeter of the attic space, work well when used in conjunction with ridge vents to promote the circulation of attic air.

In colder climates, preventing moisture damage is a much greater benefit then in warmer climates.

Attic ventilation is required in colder climates to evacuate the warm, moist air that builds from the living space below. This air can condense causing the roof sheathing to rot.

Circulating air from ventilation helps prevent ice, dams, which form when warm air in the attic melts the snow and creates a run off that refreezes on the colder eave.

Suffit vents allow air to enter the attic at the lowest point of the roof. They are more effective when used in conjunction with a continuous ridge vent, such as a cupola.

Adding a cupola to the roof allows a way for trapped heat to escape, by providing a natural flow in an upward direction through the sides of a cupola. This passive ventilation lets the warm air escape while bringing in cool air.

Cupolas were originally designed for functionality, as a ventilating system. Today there has been a rebirth of interest in cupola for decorative architectural accent as well as the functional aspect of ventilation, and are placed on the roof tops of houses, garages, businesses.

Cupolas not only improves the attic ventilation they provide an eye-catching exterior focal point which adds warmth, tradition and a little country charm that will add value to your property for years to come.

Wintry climates
If you live somewhere that snows in the winter, ice dams will be your biggest concern. The best way to prevent ice dams from forming is to keep the attic at least five degrees warmer than outside. If there is snow on the roof, do not attempt to remove it; you could damage your roof. Instead, check all exterior walls for staining. If you find any, act quickly to avoid further damage. Call a qualified professional and get help. If you do get ice dams, do not attempt to remove them, you could cause more damage to your roof. Besides calling a professional, you can temporarily remedy the problem by cutting grooves into the ice to allow the pooled water to drain. Just be sure to not cut all the way down to the shingles.

Ventilation
Bad ventilation can keep the attic humid causing condensation to run ramped, but this is not only place to worry about humidity. Research has indicated that humidity in the living space is a major cause of condensation in the attic. To help prevent this, be sure that the attic is sealed off from the rest of the house. If discoloration, condensation or mold is found on or around your vents, immediately trace it to the source, and repair the damage right away. It is also important to check outside for debris that may be building up on the vents.

Insulation
Insulation is going to be like a canary in a coalmine when it comes to early prevention of water damage. The most important time to check your insulation is after it has rained. Be sure to give it a good feel, even if it looks dry, because the slightest amount of moisture means you probably don’t have enough ventilation. Keeping your insulation in good condition is not only important for preventing water damage, but it will also keep your heating bill from running up, up and away.

Floor, ceiling and crawl spaces
These areas take a bit more time to check for signs of moisture, but are just as important as the rest of the attic. Be sure to use a flashlight and check thoroughly for discoloration and staining, as these will be harder to spot than rot and warping. Also, be sure to look with your hands as well as your eyes, especially around nails as they are metal and condensation will settle on them first.

Recessed lighting
Checking in and around recessed lights is one the most reliable way of detecting possible water damage. If you find corrosion or rust in the lights, be careful, it could be an electrical hazard. If you know how, turn off your power and repair the light, other wise call an electrician. Also be sure to trace the damage to its source and make all necessary repairs.

Got Attic Mold? Lets Talk Energy Conservation!

It happens to countless homeowners around the end of the year – you make the annual visit to your attic to collect the holiday decorations and what do you find? Spots and blotches covering the bottom of the roof sheathing. Worse yet – it turns out to be attic mold!

What does energy conservation have to do with mold in the attic? Well if you take a step back and consider how the house behaves as system, they are often directly related.

Building science experts have long been using the “house as a system” approach to diagnose the cause and origin of building defects.

For example, ice dams. These are often caused by warm air seeping into the attic which causes the snow and ice on the roof to melt. The water drains to the edge of the roof (which is colder than the rest of the roof because it is an overhang and not warmed by the attic), freezes and creates an ice dam. As this process is repeated daily, the ice dam grows larger. Eventually water is forced under a shingle where it can seep into the house.

Understanding how the house behaves as a system and the various causes and effects is necessary to diagnose most building related problems.

But how about that attic mold? How did it get there?

Mold requires chronic moisture to form and to thrive, so source(s) of moisture must be present. Possibly the moisture came from outdoors. The roof is newer and a quick check of the roof shows no obvious damage or leaks.

Possibly the moisture came from indoors. During the heating season, the interior of the house frequently has high moisture levels, especially bathrooms and kitchens. A quick check shows that all bathroom fans, kitchen vents, etc. are properly ducted completely outdoors and not into the attic. The amount of insulation looks good and the attic is well ventilated.

Don’t give up – you are almost there! Remember the house as a system? You know that warm, moist air is in the house, but how is it getting into the attic?

By air leaks! Air leaks are the leading source of energy loss in most houses, and a frequent source of chronic moisture that can cause attic mold. Most homeowners are well aware of air leaks around windows and doors (especially old ones), but many overlook the numerous gaps leading directly into the attic!

Have a look around the attic and you may find large gaps around recessed lights and fans, holes where wires or pipes are installed, even large gaps around the chimney. And don’t overlook the whole house fan and especially the folding attic stair – a big, uninsulated hole in your ceiling that is often overlooked!

These gaps can add up to a large hole that allows warm, moist air from the house to flow right into the cold attic. The warm moist air condenses on the cold roof sheathing, creating chronically damp conditions that can lead to attic mold growth. And the energy loss – it can be like leaving a window open all winter long!

Seal these air leaks and you stop a significant moisture source. And just think of all the energy you can save and the cold drafts you can stop!