Meet Your Best Energy Saver: the Whole House Fan 

Discover This Cost Effective Option for Greater Indoor Comfort

Everybody knows what a fan is, and probably anyone reading this has a few around their home, in addition to a trusty HVAC system. But few people are aware of the real benefits that come with a whole house fan. Whether you use one along with an air conditioner or even sometimes as a substitute, it’s a terrific way to save energy, cut utility bills and leverage the cooler early mornings and late evenings that are part of Southern California weather, no matter how hot the rest of the day becomes.

How Do I Operate It?

In summer, a whole house fan is best utilized at dawn and at night. Unlike air conditioning that works the hardest during the hottest part of the day, the whole house fan is pulling the cooler morning and evening air into your home to lower the overall temp. By essentially pre-cooling the air, your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard the rest of the time to keep things at a reasonable temperature. Costing only pennies per hour to run, this equipment is also almost maintenance-free.

Where Can I Use It?

Whole house fans are not useful in climates where it stays hot all night. For that reason, folks in Florida, Arizona and Texas unfortunately won’t get a whole lot of benefit from one. However, here in SoCal, whole house fans could be just the ticket for helping you save on utility bills without sacrificing comfortable temperatures inside your home.

Any Negatives I Should Be Aware Of?

Any drawbacks? Well, whole house fan must be installed correctly and in the right place to work effectively. This is a job for your HVAC tech, not a casual DIY task for your typical homeowner. Furthermore, it’s important to choose a model that won’t make a lot of excess noise or take a lot of electricity to run. Furthermore, it’s essential to leave a few windows open when you operate the fan, to avoid backdrafts.

With more than 15 total air changes per hour, a whole house fan is very effective at ventilation, too. This is important for anyone seeking to reduce mold, allergen and pollutant levels within their home.

Look, on the hottest days of summer, nothing will replace a high-performance air conditioner. However, as utility costs remain a consideration for any frugal homeowner, it’s important to consider all cost effective options for maximizing indoor comfort. A whole house fan is a great addition to almost any home and HVAC system. Find out more from your heating and air conditioning specialist,  today!

 

 

Have question about the best ways to save money with your HVAC system? Call Air-Tro. We’ve been keeping California comfortable since 1969. (626) 357-3535.