Do Whole House Fans Work?
July 22, 2022
Wondering how to keep your house cool in the summer without breaking the bank? As energy costs remain high, Sacramento area homeowners are looking for cooling alternatives that can make their homes comfortable during the hotter months of the year without the expenses associated with running central air conditioning.
Whole house fans are a great middle ground. Explore how they work and what makes them such an affordable and successful air conditioning alternative:
How Do Whole House Fans Work?
Whole house fans pull air from the living areas of your home into your attic. By creating negative pressure inside your home, outdoor air is drawn into your home through open windows, creating a comfortable breeze. In your attic, where there is now positive pressure, the warm indoor air is expelled through vents or exhaust fans.
Whole house fans serve two purposes. First, moving air around makes you feel cooler—imagine a nice summer breeze or turning on your ceiling fan. Second, whole house fans help replace the air in your home quickly. In California, the days are hot but the evenings and nights cool off quickly. Whole house fans help replace warmer indoor air with more comfortable outdoor air fast.
Whole House Fans vs. Attic Fans
While whole house fans and attic fans are sometimes confused, they actually do different things. Attic fans only exchange the air in your attic. A whole house fan, while located in the attic, circulates fresh outdoor air throughout your entire house.
The Benefits of Whole House Fans
Whole house fans help in more ways than one:
1. They use 90% less energy than air conditioning, saving you money every time you use it instead of turning on the AC.
2. High efficiency models operate very quietly—in fact, you might not even notice when the fan is running!
3. They are one of the most affordable and effective cooling solutions for your house.
4. By using less energy, they’re better for the environment and a good fit for those interested in creating a more sustainable home.
Stay Cool for Less This Summer with Brower Mechanical
Energy costs are high in our service area, but helping homeowners find ways to stay comfortable while saving money is nothing new to Brower Mechanical. Since 1979, we’ve been the go-to house cooling contractor for Sacramento, Rocklin, Lincoln, Elk Grove, and the surrounding communities.
If you’re debating a whole house fan vs. AC installation or even ductless mini-splits, give our team a call. We’ll take the time to learn more about your priorities and the issues you’re facing in your home, and give you affordable comfort options and high quality service.
