Solar Vs Electric Attic Vents

Quietcool 30 watt hybrid solar electric powered gable mount attic fan at home depot when there s sunlight the fan runs on solar and when there s not it switches to ac power so you get daily cooling regardless best roof mounted.

Solar vs electric attic vents. They are a responsible use of energy that will keep your conscience clear. The best solar attic fans are more expensive than electric units. Master flow erv6 roof mount power attic vent at home depot. Most of the time this is not productive as a ridge vent will compete with a solar fan or a roof turbine will detract from a ridge vent.

Electric attic fans vs. In summer air movement helps rid the attic space of. Solar attic fans exhaust hot air for free using the sun s rays. The solar attic fans all moved less than 1 000 cubic feet of air per minute cfm and they did nothing to lower the temperature inside my own attic.

Solar powered attic vent fans usually don t move as many cubic feet of air per minute cfm as hardwired fans. To determine the number of cubic feet per minute needed for a power vent fan multiply the number of square feet in your attic by 0 7. But they re much easier to install since no wiring is needed. Electric attic fans are more powerful and cheaper than solar attic fans but they consume a lot of power.

No costly power bills to incur there. You should not mix active and passive ventilation systems. Probably the biggest advantage of a solar attic fan is the energy savings over time. Your attic can be a useful place for storage even if the area isn t fully finished.

That s where your seasonal decorations can go the old toys that the kids no longer use and anything else that receives only occasional attention. Ad the infrared rays from the sun are powerful. Cons of solar attic fans. Last don t forget the green benefits associated with solar fans.

Air movement in the attic helps prevent moisture buildup on rafters and on the bottom of roofing materials. Once installed a solar fan costs nothing to run. Pros of solar attic fans. Also an active roof vent should not be within 10 20 feet of a passive vent if you decide to add or change your attic ventilation.

Electric fans can cost you online 50 100 while solar units prices are in the range 200 300. 13 pros and cons of solar powered attic ventilation fans. Compare that to a 250 watt electric fan which will typically use 60 kilowatt hours per month when running 8 hours per day and 180 kilowatt hours per month running continuously.