How to Install a Whole House Fan
Your Step by Step Guide
Learning how to install a whole house fan can be an extremely useful piece of knowledge. As today’s utility bills keep rising, more and more people are looking for ways to lower their cooling expenses.
But since cooling is equal to comfort, you can’t exactly skimp and make sacrifices on this. It is still important that you use a high-quality whole house fan that does not just lower your electricity bills but still provides you with good cooling.
And when you do decide to get one, knowing how to install a whole house fan can help you save time and money, and can get you started on good and affordable cooling as soon as possible.
Step by Step Guide to Install a Whole House Fan
1. Choose the Right Fan
The first step, before anything else, is for you to choose the right whole house fan for your home. You have plenty of options around. The important thing is to find a fan with enough power to cool your house based on its size.
Check a fan’s capacity, which is often measured in square feet, then compare that with the size of your home. You can also check out top models from top brands including Tamarack Technologies, AirScape, Air Vent, and Quiet Cool.
Tamarack Technologies offer two great whole house fan options, namely the HV and the Ghost series. One of the top models is the HV 1600 Gold R, which is great for houses with sizes up to 3000 square feet. It can efficiently cool down a room in just 20 minutes using its two operational fan speeds.
You can also check out the QC-1500 and QC-4500 from Quiet Cool, which feature a patented noise-prevention system as the whole house fan cools down the home.
2. Find the Right Location
The next thing to do when learning how to install a whole house fan is to find the right location for your fan. It would be best to install the fan near the house’s central point. This is where the warm air will have the least resistance so it can be more easily pulled up and out of the house. Put tape in the two ceiling rafters where you can the whole house fan to be located.
Then check the attic if there is enough space for the fan to sit in that location. Check that the area is free from pipes and wires that may intervene with the operation of the fan. When you’ve cleared everything and decided on the location, you can then remove the insulation from the area so you can begin.
3. Install the Whole House Fan
In learning how to install a whole house fan, the third step is probably the most challenging. You can start by cutting a pilot hole in the area you decided on. The hole has to be 23 ½ x 14 inches in size. Then you have to build a box in that hole by putting in framing between the rafters. If you want a more thorough job, paint the framing white or with the color of your ceiling. Then you need to install foam gaskets on the rafters. Some whole house fan models already come with the foam. Close up with a sealant and make sure the box and the foam are secure.
4. Put the Fan In
This is when you can then put the whole house fan in through the hole. It would help a lot if you had extra pairs of hands at this point. Once the fan is in place, make sure it is securely installed by tightening the screws.
Check your manual on how to install a whole house fan and ensure that it won’t be a hazard for you and your family. After installing the fan, you can then connect it to your home’s electrical power. If you are unsure how to do this, contact an electrician for safety purposes.
5. Cover with the Grill
Finally, once the fan is up and ready to run, the only thing left to do is to cover it up with the grille. This is always already part of the whole house fan package. The grille is often the same size as the fan, so it should completely cover the entire opening and the fan. Learning how to install a whole house fan is not hard as long as you carefully follow clear instructions on your user’s manual.
Return from How to Install a Whole House Fan to Whole House Fans
Return from How to Install a Whole House Fan to Best Ceiling Fans
|
