A whole house fan is a simple and low-cost way to cool your home in summer. The fan draws cool, outdoor air into your home through open windows while pulling hot, indoor air to the attic and exhausting it to the outside. Used in conjunction with ceiling fans or circulating fans, a whole house fan will keep you and your family comfortable all season long.
Because outdoor temperatures are typically cooler than inside air in the morning, late evening and at night, operating a whole house fan during these times will help to cool your home’s interior. During the hottest hours of the day — generally between 1 and 5 p.m. — your whole house fan can be turned off.
Cost comparison
Whole house fans provide inexpensive relief from the summer heat when compared to air-conditioning. Installation cost estimates for whole house fans and air conditioning systems follow:
- Whole house fan: $900 to $2,400
- Window unit air conditioner: $150 to $800
- Central air-conditioning system: $3,900 to $8,000 or more
Whole house fans cost less to install than central air conditioning, and they provide substantial operating cost savings. A typical two-ton central air conditioning system with a seasonal energy-efficiency ratio 2 (SEER2) of 12.4 costs approximately 24 cents per hour to operate. A 9.5 SEER2, half-ton window unit costs 8 cents per hour, while a whole house fan costs an estimated 2 to 5 cents per hour. In a typical cooling season, a central air conditioning unit would cost $240 to operate, while a whole house fan would cost just $20 to $50.
A whole house fan can provide cool relief from summer energy costs as a standalone system or in combination with an air conditioner. Just remember to open multiple windows to allow proper airflow and to avoid problems with the operation of gas flame appliances.
Fan covers maximize savings
Because standard fan louvers don’t insulate or seal tightly, it’s important to install an insulated cover over the fan in winter when it isn’t in use. Covers may be installed on the attic side of the fan or on the outside. Moreover, in excessively cold climates, it’s best to install covers on both sides. Remember, however, to remove the cover before operating the fan.
