The Best Whole House Fan [Reviews & Buying Guide]

Air conditioning can certainly get expensive in the summer time. Many of us dread opening that electric bill to see the damage of running constant air conditioning just to keep our home at a comfortable temperature. Many states and locations do not even utilize air conditioning and therefore need alternative options for cooling their homes in those warm days and/or nights.

What is a Whole House Fan?

I know what you’re thinking, is this just a huge fan that will be noisy and not really circulate through the whole home? On the contrary, these fans are typically installed through your roof and attic and thy exchange cool, outside air for the stale air in your home.

A whole house fan is designed to be energy efficient and offer an alternative method to circulate cooler, fresher air throughout your home. Whole house fans are most ideal in mornings and evenings when the air is cooler. Open your windows and let the whole house fan circulate fresh cool air to cool down your home.

Whole house fans can fully circulate the air in your home approximately 15–20 times per hour. If the system is run consistently at nighttime, it will effectively be able to move all of the mass amounts of hot air outside of your home. The next day, your home will be able to remain cool throughout the day because all of the hot air was completely removed from your home.

Where Should Whole House Fans be installed?

Most whole house fans are designed to be installed in your attic or roof area, however, there are many fans that are a versatile design. Some fans are designed to be installed into a window area, while some allow you to set them up anywhere.

Each unit is designed with varying functions that have different capabilities. Be sure to research what you need for your home and choose accordingly. Some whole house fan designs cover only small areas while some are made for much larger areas.

Most whole house fans come with any necessary hardware and instruction for installation and the majority of the fan options are easy to install properly.

How Do I Know Which Type of Whole House Fan I Need?

Take measurements of the area in which you might install your whole house fan. Consider whether you have attic space for installation or whether you might need to consider a door or window style fan instead.

It’s important to check your area and properly plan for your whole house fan prior to purchasing. What type of square footage do you intend to cool, what type of noise level are you willing or able to tolerate? All of these factors could play a substantial role in which type of whole house fan it best for you.

There is not necessarily any specific fan for any specific location, but be aware of your best options for installation and the total area you need to cool. Choose a unit that is suitable for the size of the area you are cooling.

Summary

Whole house fans may not be the ultimate solution, but they are a cost-effective way to reduce air-conditioning use and bills. If you live in an area where it’s common not to have air conditioning in homes, these units are a great option for cooling your home when it does get warm outside.

Some units have limited capacity and are best used in conjunction with another unit, while other units recommend more than a certain number of square feet before you install due to the high-powered options. Some whole house fans may qualify you for an energy tax rebate.

There are three main styles of fans, including standard fan style, inline ductwork style, and door or window installation style. Each style has its own pros and cons as well as its own capabilities. Whole house fans can be noisy during operation, but some have a quieter operation than others.

Whole house fans are ultimately a great solution for efficiently cooling areas and reducing electric bills. With appropriate usage, these units are highly effective and are well worth the investment that may be required for a high-quality unit.

Here is to cooler, more comfortable home temperatures with high levels of efficiency that don’t include high electric bills! Don’t let those electricity bills get you down, jump into your whole house fan today and start seeing the temperatures drop without having to break the bank.

The Best Whole House Fan Reviews:

Read all the best whole house fan reviews right here!