If you wish you could lower your electric bill in the summer, you may want to install a whole-house fan. These fans pull in cool air from the outside and push out warm air. You can use the fan alone or along with your air conditioner so your air conditioner doesn't have to run as much. An electrician can install a whole-house fan, and they might even sell certain brands so you're sure to get the right size and type for your home. Here's a look at how a whole-house fan is installed.
Choose The Mounting Location
A whole-house fan is installed in the attic. A good place to install it is above a hallway ceiling, but it can be installed anywhere. The electrical contractor may want to choose a place for the fan that is away from cables and pipes in your attic.
The part of the fan that can be seen from the hallway looks like an extra-large HVAC grille, so it isn't unattractive or in the way. The fan mounts in the attic right above the spot you choose. The drywall in the ceiling has to be cut out to make a place for the fan.
Install The Whole-House Fan
The electrician can assemble the fan according to whether it is a belt-driven or a direct-drive model. When the fan is ready, it's slipped in the opening in the ceiling while creating a tight seal so the fan can make a vacuum that pulls hot air from your house into the attic.
Install The Wiring
Your new fan has to connect to electricity, and that's why an electrician is required for the installation. The electrician may need to get a permit and have their work inspected. If the fan has a cord, the electrician needs to install an outlet near the fan. If local codes require that the fan be hardwired, the electrician needs to connect the fan to wiring instead. They also need to make sure the fan won't overload a circuit. If that's a possibility, the fan might need a dedicated circuit.
The electrician can wire the fan to a circuit in the electrical panel or hook it into a connection box that's nearby. The electrician also has to install a wall switch near the fan below so you can flip the fan on and off. Once the fan is installed, you can operate it with a remote if the fan came with one. The remote lets you turn the fan on and off and adjust the speed.
A whole-house fan will cool down your entire living space. Its function is not the same as an attic fan that just cools down the attic. A whole-house fan can cool down your house fast. Reach out to an electrician for more information.