Need Advice Solar Powered Attic Ventilator

We saw these solar powered attic ventilators at Costco for $349.99 and are wondering if they are a worthwhile investment. Does anyone have experience with something like this? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

My only concern would be how would you be able to clean the solar array?

Dirt, scum, and bird poop really cut down on the capability of a solar array.

 

While I believe it is an ok idea. How much power would you actually save? its only a fan after all and only runs half the year.

 

I don't know how much we would save overall but it shouldn't cost much to run since it's solar so even if it only saves a little bit it might pay for itself pretty quickly? I don't know much other than what the info was on the box so that's why I asked here.

 

They're on sale now for $319.99

 

They work great on a sunny day. But the solar powered attic fans do not work on cloudy days or when the sun goes down. The attic still has hot air inside at sunset. Personally, I recommend and electric power fan which has more CFM, you would need multiple solar attic fans to equal the pulling power of one electric fan.

How many square feet is your attic space. Also, do you have soffit intake vents to draw in cool air into the attic?

Thank You,
Steven B.
Roofer911.com

 

The Attic Fan is great, as it keep my second floor 10-15 degrees cooler in the heat of the summer, as our friends at VM put the worlds smallest AC unit for the 2nd floor, but when our fan broke, the temp was Hot. As for Solar, I agree with the other comments, whaty are you really saving.

 

If you have a ridge vent/eve vent sytem an attic ventilator is really not necessary.

 

A ridge vent should only be used on a home that has a cathedral ceiling. If you don't have cathedral style ceilings, then I Strongly recommend an electric power attic fan. The power fan will move the warm moist damaging air out of the attic much quicker and more efficiently than any static vent system.

Also, a ridge vent is only as good as the contractor who installs it, the problem is, many roofers don't cut the wood sheathing the standard 1.5" on both sides of the ridge which defeats it's purpose. Even when done correctly, you'll still have a warm attic.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I need to do some research and see how much it costs to operate a solar attic fan versus an electric one; and also how much we save on bills with each option. We have no attic fan now and I'm sure we would greatly benefit from having some kind of fan up there.

 

We don't have a fan system either, do they eventually pay for themselves through lower air conditioning costs?

 

Yes, by installing a roof power fan it will definately pay for itself through lower air conditioning bills. A roof power fan removes hot air from the attic keeping your entire home cooler while maximizing your air conditioner's efficiency. Also, will extend the life expectancy of your roof.

 

That is something some people overlook. It is not only about saving energy and money. It about reducing the damage that heat buildup will cause to your roof and and attic.

We are very happy with our attic fan.

 

SHOWN BELOW ARE THE MOST COMMON DAMAGES TO A HOME BECAUSE OF IMPROPER VENTILATION:

• Damaged insulation.
• Roof framing can warp or buckle.
• Plywood decking can come apart.
• Vinyl siding outside the home can warp or buckle due to excessive heat in the attic.
• Shingles overheated from underneath can be damaged (damage to shingles caused by improper installation is not covered under.
• Ice Dam
• Peeling paint
• Black mold or mildew.
• and more...

Also very important, don't forget about intake vents. A home is just like a person, it needs to inhale and exhale.

 

What is "ice dam"?

 

Here's a good article about causes and prevention of ice dam:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/icedamremoval

 

is an attic fan recommended for a townhouse too? I have a metal (prolly bad -- it looks all warped now... house built in 96) ridge vent

 

Absolutely!

 

How much money are we talking, (ballpark), to put a fan or two in on a house that doesn't have a fan?

 

The price for a 1600 cfm roof power fan (labor and materials) varies from $275.00 to $450.00 depending on the slope of the roof, shingle type and height of the house.