Skip to main content
  • Board Meeting Information
  • Photo Caption Contest
1 of 2 
Home
  • About Us
  • Responsible Energy Plan
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
  • Renewable Energy
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Search
Menu

Search form

Benefits of Installing an Attic Fan for Summer

Benefits of Installing an Attic Fan for Summer

Heat rises, so it comes as no surprise that your attic can be a very hot place when combined with direct sunlight and little ventilation. At first glance, having a hot attic may not seem alarming, but the extra heat and moisture could raise your air conditioning usage and potentially harm your roof. If your attic is excessively warm, installing an attic fan can be the answer to several problems caused by inadequate ventilation. 

If you're considering installing an attic fan but aren't sure if it would be a good fit for your house, here are a few points to consider about attic fans, how they function, and how installing one can improve the energy efficiency of your home.

 

Why You Should Avoid a Hot Attic

Sunlight from windows, humidity and heat within your home has nowhere to go but up. This heat and humidity can make your already warm attic even hotter, resulting in warmer rooms in your home. Without proper ventilation, hot, humid air becomes trapped in your attic.

Humidity and extreme heat can cause damage to items stored in your attic, such as family heirlooms, seasonal items, air conditioners and even the roof itself. Continuous moisture in the air can result in mold and mildew as well as ice damming on your roof during the winter.

 

How Do Attic Fans Work?

The fundamental function of an attic fan is to remove hot air from your attic space. 

Attic venting fans remove hot, moist air from the attic while leaving the space beneath the attic floor alone. These fans circulate the air in the attic, drawing fresh, cool air from vents (such as those in your soffit) and pushing hot air outside.

Attic fans can be used all year long. In the summer, you can significantly lower the temperature in the attic, extending the life of the roofing shingles and sheathing. In the colder months, attic fans can also help you avoid ice dam damage. The fans cool the attic, bringing the temperature between the attic and the outside of the house to a comfortable level. This keeps snow from melting on your roof and freezing when it comes into contact with cold gutters.
 

The Benefits of Attic Fans

By improving ventilation in your home’s attic, installing an attic fan can help reduce moisture and even lower the temperature within your entire house. 

 

The following are some advantages of installing an attic fan:

 

1. Prevents Moisture in Your Attic - When it comes to your home, too much moisture is never a good thing. In your attic, it may be particularly harmful and even hazardous. If necessary precautions aren’t taken, several minor problems caused by moisture in your attic can lead to severe issues. Mold and mildew can result from humid air, which can be especially harmful in an attic. If left unchecked, mold can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, not to mention costly cleanup or structural damage to your attic and roof.

2. Increases the Life of Your Roof - The condition of your roof is essential for the integrity of your house. Damage from heat and moisture can eventually result in roof damage, expensive repairs, or even replacement. 

3. Reduces Interior Room Temperatures - The attic is the room in your house with the hottest temperature, causing your entire house to become warmer, especially during the summer. 

Because your attic traps heat from both the outside and the lower floors of your home, the weather outside can influence how hot it gets. If the outside temperature rises above 80 degrees, the temperature in your attic can reach 150 degrees or more. 

If you have an attic fan, you can cool down the rest of your house. The best part is that you don't have to keep your fan running all the time. If you only use the attic fan during the hottest part of the day, you can reduce the temperature in your attic by up to 50 degrees. You can also do this to reduce the temperature in the rest of your house by 10 degrees.

4. Lowers Your Energy Costs - We rely heavily on our air conditioners during the hotter months. However, running them constantly may have a negative impact on your electricity bill. Installing an attic fan can help keep your home cooler and energy efficient. If your home is naturally cooler, you may not need to use your air conditioner as frequently, potentially lowering your energy costs. 

Installing an attic fan with an adjustable thermostat allows you to set a dial and forget about the fan. When the temperature in the attic reaches a predetermined level, the fan will kick on and begin venting the heated air, cooling the attic space automatically.

Adjustable thermostats also turn off the fan if the temperature falls below the preset level. This makes it simple to use and helps you save energy by not running the fan when it's not necessary. 

Throughout the year, an attic fan is a great addition to any home. It not only helps to lower your energy bill, but it also makes you feel more comfortable in the summer and prevents harmful ice buildup in the winter.

Contact your local cooperative or public power district with questions concerning attic fan installation and rebate opportunities. 

 

Electrify and Save™ 

______

Tri-State is a not-for-profit cooperative of 45 members, including 42 member utility electric distribution cooperatives and public power districts in four states, that together deliver reliable, affordable, and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.


 

Contributor:

Matt Fitzgibbon

Blog Posts

The Benefits of Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

The Benefits of Heat Pumps in Cold Climates

Many people are still learning about the benefits of heat pumps and what they can do. Heat pumps are especially beneficial in cold weather climates. A heat pump is part of a home heating and cooling system and is installed outside the home. Here are five main types of heat pumps
Peter Rusin, Member Relations Manager
Read more >
Have an Energy Efficient Holiday Season

Have an Energy Efficient Holiday Season

The holiday season can be a lot of fun, but it can also be pretty costly. Between gifts, decorations, and travel expenses, the bills can start to add up quickly. Luckily, there are ways to have a more energy-efficient holiday season that can save you some money. If your to-do list has you stressed, relax and continue reading to learn simple ways to save this year and beyond. 
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
How to Create an Energy-Efficient Laundry Room

How to Create an Energy-Efficient Laundry Room

No matter how big or small, every laundry room has the potential to use less energy. By increasing your laundry room's energy efficiency, you will see a lower bill and might be able to take advantage of rebates through your electric cooperative or public power district. Read on to learn more.
Lonnie Tucker, Relationship Manager
Read more >
Energy Efficiency for Manufactured Homeowners

Energy Efficiency for Manufactured Homeowners

While most new manufactured homes are more energy efficient than their predecessors, the standard energy code that manufactured homes must meet was put in place in 1994. A more efficient standard goes into effect in May 2023 for all new homes manufactured after May 2023. There are many ways to make your manufactured home more energy efficient. The following tips can help you save money on your utility bills and be more comfortable in your home. 
Read more >
Energy Saving Tips While You're Away on Vacation

Energy Saving Tips While You're Away on Vacation

There’s already a lot of prep work that goes into taking a trip. Between planning, finding a pet sitter and catching a flight on time, you don’t need more complications. So, keep it simple with these five easy steps before heading out the door.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
The Future of Electric vehicles EVs Air, Water, and Land

The Future of EVs: Air, Water, and Land

When it comes to the future of electric vehicles, the sky’s the limit – quite literally. In addition to continued innovation in land-based electric vehicles, we are also seeing an increase in interest and investment in air and water-based options. Here’s a look at some of the most exciting developments in each EV category.
Mike Frailey, Relationship Manager 
Read more >
Benefits of Installing an Attic Fan for Summer

Benefits of Installing an Attic Fan for Summer

If you're considering installing an attic fan but aren't sure if it would be a good fit for your house, here are a few points to consider about attic fans, how they function, and how installing one can improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
How to Prepare Your Home for a Summer Heat Wave

How to Prepare Your Home for a Summer Heat Wave

During summer heat waves, air conditioning can be a real lifesaver.  Many homes in cooler climate states aren’t always equipped with air conditioning, so when an unexpected heat wave hits, many residents rely on other ways to stay cool without AC. No matter where you live, it’s important to be prepared for hot summer days with efficient cooling and a plan in place to stay comfortable.
Matt Fitzgibbon, Beneficial Electrification Manager
Read more >
E-Bike Friendly Trails in New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska

E-Bike Friendly Trails in our Member Service Territories

Electric bikes are quickly becoming the fun, cost-effective and eco-friendly solution to inner-city commuting-and bike trails! Here's some important information to know before venturing out on your e-bike in our member service areas.
Read more >

Pagination

  • Currently on page   1
  • Page   2
  • Page   3
  • Page   4
  • Page   5
  • Page   6
  • Page   7
  • Page   8
  • Page   9
  • …
  • Next pageNext ›
  • Last pageLast »

Subscribe

* indicates required
Join our mailing list for
updates and member news
 
 

Quick links

  • About Us
  • Leadership Team
  • Environmental, Social and Governance
  • Beneficial Electrification
  • Financials
  • Media
  • Operations
  • Board Meetings
  • Careers
  • Member Tools
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Employee login

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association
Office: 303-452-6111
1100 West 116th Avenue
Westminster, CO 80234

Mailing address:
PO Box 33695
Denver, CO 80233-0695

©2023 Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc. Power supplier to the rural west.

  • About Us
  • Responsible Energy Plan
  • Media
    • Resources
    • Blog
    • Features
    • News
  • Renewable Energy
  • Cooperative Benefits
  • Operations
  • Careers
  • Search