Install an Attic Fan
At 4:47 in
15 Tips To Help Cool Your House This Summer + Lower Energy Cost
What happens here
Install a solar-powered attic fan to reduce the heat buildup in your attic, which can reach 120-150 degrees Fahrenheit in summer. An attic fan actively pushes hot air out, lowering the attic temperature to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit or below. This reduction can translate to up to a 5-degree temperature drop inside your house, significantly easing the load on your AC. Installation involves finding the highest point of your roof, cutting a 14.5-inch wide hole between the rafters, prying up existing roofing nails, applying sealant (caulk) around the fan's flashing, sliding the flashing underneath the shingles, and securing it with screws or roofing nails. Apply sealant over the screws for waterproofing. This particular fan is solar-powered, eliminating the need for electrical wiring.
Goal: Reduce attic temperature to improve home cooling efficiency
Tools and materials
- Caulk Gun — Applying sealant for waterproofing
- Drill/Driver Ryobi — Cutting the hole (with appropriate attachment) and securing the fan
- Pry Bar — Prying up roofing nails around the hole
- Roofing Nails or Screws — Securing the attic fan to the roof
- Solar-Powered Attic Fan — Actively venting hot air from the attic to reduce temperature
- Utility Knife — Cutting the hole and trimming shingles
- Sealant — Waterproofing around the fan's flashing and over screws