FAQ and Technical Information
A: The Fan-Attic is a solar-powered attic ventilation system. As an "active" attic ventilation system, the Fan-Attic provides more effective ventilation than "passive" systems such as turbine vents. Furthermore, this effectiveness operates for free -- since the Fan-Attic is solar-powered, there are no wires to attach, and no electricity requred to run the unit. The Fan-Attic is the attic ventilation system that pays for itself. You also may qualify for a 30% Federal Tax Credit and a $25 Hawaii Energy Credit through June 1, 2011.
A: Heat and moisture affect your roofing materials all-year long.
In the summer, built-up attic heat migrates into your living area, heats up the air in your home's air conditioning ducts, and makes the air conditioner work harder to cool your home. Adding a Fan-Attic solar ventilation system to your roof can actually reduce the operating time of your air-conditioner in the summer. This is why heating and air conditioning companies recommend the Fan-Attic.
In the wintertime, moisture from inside the house can enter the attic. Without proper ventilation, excess moisture promotes mold and mildew, can saturate insulation, and can dampen wood in your attic. A Fan-Attic ventilates this air before it has a chance to condense inside your attic.
A: The summer sun makes your home's asphalt composition, shake, or tile roof very hot. This also heats the air inside your attic. If this hot air isn't ventilated, it enters into your home.
Attic insulation doesn't eliminate the heat transfer from the attic to your home — it just slows it down. In addition, the heat that accumulates in your attic during the day continues to warm up your home after the sun goes down.
A well-ventilated attic, using a solar-powered attic fan like the Fan-Attic, removes this hot air before it heats up your attic and your home. In doing so, it reduces the strain on your home's cooling system — and this can mean big savings on your energy bill.
Have you ever been inside your attic during the hot summer months? Your attic can be much hotter than the air outside! The Fan-Attic works to drastically reduce the temperature in your attic. This in turn helps protect your roof, and makes your home more comfortable and energy-efficient.
A: Ridge vents, gables vents, and dormer vents ventilate your attic via passive (natural) draft air convection. As hot air accumulates in your attic, it should flow out from these vents creating a natural draft through the attic.
Turbine vents work when the wind blows to pull hot air out of your attic. Their efficiency is limited as the wind is not always blowing strong enough to properly ventilate your attic space.
The Fan-Attic uses active (forced) draft air convection. Using its 38-volt motor combined with the whisper-quiet, patented Revcor™ fan blade, the Fan-Attic pulls air through your attic faster than turbine vents, and helps your ridge and gable vents work more efficiently. By working with the sun, the Fan-Attic cools your hot attic all day long — and this helps keep your attic cooler, and your home more comfortable, in the evening as well.
A: While you may have static vents or ridge vents they generally do not provide sufficient air movement to pull heat and moisture from the attic – especially when ambient air is stagnant. The Fan-Attic works to complement your home's existing static or ridge vents.
A: If you don't have A/C and merely run fans and ceiling fans to keep cool, approximately $20/month. If you have A/C, $30-$50/month, although some people have reported saving much more. If you currently have electric powered vents, you are paying $20-30/month just for one vent. A solar powered Fan-Attic operates as no cost as it uses energy from the sun, not the power company.
Q: Can I replace my existing static or turbine vents with the Fan-Attic? A: Yes, in most cases the Fan-Attic will easily and directly replace existing vents with little or no additional modification of your roof.
A: The Fan-Attic is extremely quiet. The solar cell provides power to a super-quiet DC motor without the humming sound associated with AC motors used on electric attic fans.
A: Absolutely. Many clients use the Fan-Attic to reduce the temperatures in their garages and storage sheds.
A: The Fan-Attic doesn't run after the sun goes down. Of course, since it's already cooled your attic during the daylight hours, the residual cooling effect lasts well into the evening.
A: A brush type motor produces significantly more output power when compared to a brushless motor. Brushless motors are commonly used because they are less costly.
A: Many attic fan manufacturers use a metal housings that dent, rust or corrode and retain heat. The Fan-Attic's housing is designed for long life, reduced heat buildup, and it's pretty good-looking as well.
A: The housing may be painted if desired. It is recommended that the housing be primed with an acrylic paint. Do not apply any paint to the solar panel.
A: No. The Fan-Attic is designed to not leak and includes a 24” square, 25 gauge steel zinc coated roof flashing integrated into the design.
A: The Fan-Attic saves you money in some of the following ways:
By using solar power, the Fan-Attic cools your hot attic without the need to hire an electrician to wire the attic ventilation system into your electrical system.
By cooling your attic in the summer, you reduce the strain on your air-conditioning system.
By ventilating your attic in the winter, you reduce moisture condensation in your attic, your insulation, and the underside of your roof. This helps to make your roofing and insulation materials last longer, while keeping your home more comfortable.
Since the Fan-Attic is solar-powered, it will not negatively impact your energy bill.
A: Yes! The Fan-Attic qualifies for up to 30% in Federal Tax Credits and $25 Hawaii Energy Rebate through June 1, 2011. Click here for the Federal form and the State form.
A: The Fan-Attic has the latest state-of-the-art 15-Watt solar panel designed to last for more than 20 years. In fact, the solar panel has a 20-year limited warranty — one of the strongest in the industry.
A: The Fan-Attic offers one of the strongest warranties in the roofing/ventilation industry. Not only does the Fan-Attic have a 20 year limited warranty, the first 5 years is a full warranty including parts and labor. The 100% 5 year warranty applies to all Fan-Attics purchased from and installed by BY DESIGN custom remodeling .
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