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[MannyIsGod]

It doesn't need to be super hot outside for a lot of heat to be stored in your attic. Solar powered fans in there are going to give you noticeable results in even modest south Texas heat.

[TeyshaBlue]

I need to put about 4000 of em in my attic.

[MannyIsGod]

One or two will do just fine.

[TeyshaBlue]

One or two will do just fine.

You aint seen my attic.

[boutons_deux]

It doesn't need to be super hot outside for a lot of heat to be stored in your attic. Solar powered fans in there are going to give you noticeable results in even modest south Texas heat.

I looked into my attic ventilation. quite a few sites discussing it. NOT simple to install active ventilation and get the airflow right, which also consumes electricity, motors wear out, etc, etc.

I finally had a ridge vent installed last autumn. no fans, simply convection. We'll see how it works this summer.

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Install+a+Ridge+Vent_798471914_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AhiltNFB3Q

[Drachen]

I looked into my attic ventilation. quite a few sites discussing it. NOT simple to install active ventilation and get the airflow right, which also consumes electricity, motors wear out, etc, etc.

I finally had a ridge vent installed last autumn. no fans, simply convection. We'll see how it works this summer.

http://www.lowes.com/cd_Install+a+Ridge+Vent_798471914_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AhiltNFB3Q

thus the solar attic fan

[boutons_deux]

solar attic fan still has a motor to break down, would have to be quite hefty. After talking to a few professionals, the solar fans are mostly junk and don't move enough air.

Comparing the HP of a solar fan of 12" with the HP of an electric fan of 12" I found the electric fan motor were more powerful.

They also need a temperature controller so as not to run in cold weather when you want solar heated air in the attic.

[Wild Cobra]

solar attic fan still has a motor to break down, would have to be quite hefty. After talking to a few professionals, the solar fans are mostly junk and don't move enough air.

Comparing the HP of a solar fan of 12" with the HP of an electric fan of 12" I found the electric fan motor were more powerful.

They also need a temperature controller so as not to run in cold weather when you want solar heated air in the attic.

Just like ShazBot, always ting on a good idea.

[coyotes_geek]

With any motor there's a chance of it breaking down, so that's a fair point if you're talking about attic fans vs. ridge vents. The temperature controller isn't all that big a deal though.

Size and shape of the attic, or attics as is the case in my home, would also play a part in deciding between fans or ridge vents.

[boutons_deux]

Just like ShazBot, always ting on a good idea.

on

[MannyIsGod]

I would imagine that deciding between vents and active fans would be dependent on the particular attic but I have a hard time seeing where vents would ever outperform a fan. Convection is great and all, but its going to work much slower.

Expense might be an issue but I have no experience with which is more expensive (I would imagine the installation for either is not cheap but I don't see many reasons why the fan should be more expensive outside of equipment costs) as I am not a homeowner or an installer.