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Easily installed and free to operate, solar attic fans are a smart choice for homeowners who want to save money cooling their homes in summer, prevent ice dams in winter, and extend the lives of their roofs.
H-Mac Systems, Inc. offers a wide range of solar attic fans at low prices, and we focus on processing and shipping your order quickly, usually within 1 business day.

H-Mac definitely has the solar fan you need for your application – please give us a call if you have questions or need help choosing a fan.

Operation

Solar Attic Fan Operating Principle:
A solar attic fan uses photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electrical power. The electricity generated is used to turn a fan motor, exhausting air from the attic of a home.

Benefits:
• In summer, temperatures in an unventilated attic can exceed 160 degrees F. A properly sized solar attic ventilation system will reduce attic temperature to 5-10 degrees F above the outdoor temperature. Ventilating the attic reduces the amount of heat transferred from the attic to the home, decreases the load on the air conditioning system (reducing your electric bill), and extends the life of the roof.
• In winter, heat trapped in the attic may melt snow on the roof, which trickles down and creates destructive ice dams in the colder eaves. A solar attic fan lowers the attic temperature in winter to lessen snowmelt and ice dam risk.
• The attic becomes warmest when the sun is the strongest. A solar attic fan runs the hardest when the sun is strongest. Everyday home activities such as cooking and showering create moisture which collects in the attic and promotes mold and mildew growth, reduces the effectiveness of insulation, and attacks the wooden attic structure. Year round fresh air circulation from a solar attic fan removes this moisture and prevents moisture related problems.
• Zero operating cost.
• Installation can be done by a handy homeowner. No electrician is required.
• Quiet operation.

Things to Consider:
• The cost savings due to reduced air conditioner load depends on the price of electricity in your area, the amount of attic space in your home, the efficiency of your attic insulation, and the amount of ventilation your solar attic vent is able to provide. A typical installation will usually pay for itself in savings within 1-2 summers of use.
• A solar attic fan should not be used when air from the living areas of the home can freely enter the attic. This would result in conditioned air being removed from the home. Any openings between the attic and the home should be sealed before a solar attic fan is installed.
• Properly sized attic vents are required to allow fresh air to enter the attic and replace the hot air removed by the solar attic fan.
• Solar attic fans should be mounted away from ridge vents and gable vents.
• A thermal switch may be desirable in areas with cold winters in order to prevent cold air from being drawn into the attic where it may put additional load on your heating system. The switch disables the fan when attic temperatures are below 80 degrees F.

Configurations

Solar Attic Fan Configurations:
Solar attic fans are available in three configurations:
1. Self flashing roof solar attic fan: The fan base is flat and designed to slide under shingles and attach directly to the roof.
2. Curb mounted solar attic fan: The fan base is a cap designed to fit over a curb which is attached to the roof.
3. Gable fan: The fan exhausts horizontally through the gable end of the attic. In addition, solar attic fans are available with fan mounted or remote solar panels.