FORT LAUDERDALE Blog

Are Solar Attic Fans Worth It?

Are Solar Attic Fans Worth It?

Heat and moisture are your worst enemy for your attic! During hot summers especially here in south Florida, temperatures rise over 98 degrees almost year-round! The advantages of a solar attic fan are endless. Some of the main advantages are:

• Lowers electricity and maintenance bills
• Hurricane proof
• No fire hazards
• Keeps attic cool in summer by reducing extreme heat
• Helps eliminate mold
• Reduces damaging moisture
• Ecofriendly
• Eligible for 26% tax credit
• Helps home battle FL heat and humidity
• Less expensive than replacing AC unit
• Durable and easy to install
• Prolongs the lifespan of your roof & AC

Solar attic fans improve the comfort, longevity, and efficiency of your home by removing hot air and moisture from your attic.  In FL the two biggest problems homeowners face with their attics are heat and humidity. Installing a solar attic fan is a great way to keep temperatures in your attic low and help your AC work more efficiently. Attic fans are more of an affordable option in lieu of replacing your entire AC unit.

How do Solar Attic fans work?

Solar attic fans run on power directly from the sun and pull heated air out of your attic and replace it with cooler air. This reduces the amount of work your HVAC system will have to contribute to keeping your upstairs living area cool. Having a solar attic fan will prolong the lifespan of your AC unit and be a great little trick to avoid replacing the entire unit. A hot attic resembles a giant radiator transferring heat into your living area which ultimately makes your utility bills skyrocket. So not only does a solar attic fan regulate the temperature within your attic, but it also saves money monthly!  Do attic fans really help? The solar attic fan makes your home more comfortable overall by regulating temperature and preventing moisture and mold from building up in the attic, this is especially important in Florida where the humidity is at an all-time high.

How Important Is Attic Ventilation?

High attic temps are not only uncomfortable for the person standing in the unfurnished space but if the temperature gets high enough it will start to influence the temperature in other rooms throughout the house. Such inefficiency will, unfortunately, cause your AC system to work harder than normal and of course, those additional monthly expenses fall on the homeowner. Even after the extra monthly costs the trapped heat and moisture can do real damage causing mold growth. Even in some extreme cases, the moisture can rot away portions of the structural framing found inside the attic.  Another possible issue you can face when dealing with runaway attic temperatures is causing the asphalt shingles to prematurely fail. Most common shingles are capable of withstanding heat from the sun but when heat meets the undersides it becomes a different ball game. Fortunately, there is a simple solution to heat and moisture problems under and on the roof. To save money and live in a more comfortable home with reliable protection to your roof you should consider installing an attic fan.