Do Solar Attic Fans Really Work

The fan will stop spinning immediately once it loses contact with the light.

Do solar attic fans really work.

Solar attic fans require direct sunlight solar attic fans require direct sunlight to work as their energy source is the sun. Principal research scientist danny parker of the florida solar energy center has tested solar attic fans and says the gable end models work the best since they move considerably more air than roof mounted mushroom top units you can install pv fans yourself if you have good carpentry skills but it s not necessarily an easy job. Now the solar powered exhaust fans are great because all you have to do is cut a hole put them in place and you don t even have to worry about calling the electrician to power any electric motor. Because most models do not use a battery as a backup power source any drifting clouds that come along will interrupt the operation of this unit.

Read on to learn more about how it works the pros and cons and whether it will really save you money. Solar attic fans require direct sunlight to operate. If the angle of the sun is lower in the sky morning and late afternoon or the sun s rays are trying to cut through thin clouds or haze the fan spins slower moving less air. Your solar panel will need to be in direct sunlight to operate which means cloud cover shade trees and even dust can hinder operation.

Solar powered exhaust fans have come a long way since they were first introduced a few years ago and attic ventilation is so important because it can really get hot in any attic space. How solar attic fans work. As the sun beats down on your roof it heats the air inside your house starting with your attic. For the attic fans to work at peak efficiency they need to be on a south facing roof slope if you live in the northern hemisphere.

The single solar powered attic fan i have has not lowered the temperature in my attic at all. Is a solar attic fan another great invention to make the sun work for you or is it just a gimmick.