Whole House Fan Installation and Placement Guide

Whole house fans that are installed in the ceiling closest to your attic are most commonly used in areas with moderate and dry temperatures. Placement of your whole house fan is usually decided by the highest point in your living area, to allow the hot air, which rises to that point, to be evacuated quickly and easily.

In this Complete Home Remodeling Guide, we’ll help you understand why many homeowners install these whole house attic fans, and how the placement and installation is really just common sense and based off heat rising.

A hole is cut between rafters, the fan is secured to the rafters, the wiring is routed through the attic, and installation is relatively easy. Most homeowners choose a central location for the placement of the fan, so that warm, uncomfortable air is drawn out of all areas of the home equally, pulling in cooler air from outdoors to create balanced climate. At other times, homeowners choose a location nearer to sleeping areas for optimal nighttime comfort.

In truth, it doesn’t make a great deal of difference because quality whole house attic fans will create enough of a vacuum to pull cooler air into all areas of the home through open windows even if the windows are located some distance from the fan. Sometimes whole house attic fans are installed in the ceilings of attached garages, especially when the garage is often used for auto work or hobbies that create noxious or unpleasant odors. The fan can be used to cool the home plus keep the air in the garage free of fumes and smells.

Hiring a Pro to Install

One of the most common questions a homeowner may have about installation of a whole house fan, is whether they should do it themselves, or hire a professional. most HVAC Contractors and even Electrical Contractors are happy to install a unit like this, since both have the skills to handle the full installation of a whole house fan.

For guides on outdoor remodeling, kitchen remodeling, basement remodeling, and bathroom remodeling projects, visit our helpful learning articles for tips and tricks!