Solar Attic Fans Help Prevent Home Damage While

By Dan Kennedy

Your attic has a key job to do. Other than acting as a storage locker for old Christmas ornaments and out-of-style prom dresses, it also holds up the roof and assists in keeping your house warm in the winter. But left uncared for, your attic can quickly turn to some bottomless money pit - unless solar attic fans are employed as a preventative measure. Here's the reason why.

Does Your Attic Show These Signs of Trouble?

Moisture in your attic can come from a leaky roof, or from household appliances that create steam which travels upward to condense on the underside of your roof. Wherever it originates, though, excessive moisture is a cause of concern, as it can break the structure of your home, or even be a health hazard for your family. Mold and rot can quickly spread to other areas of your home, hiding unseen in your walls until damage is extensive - and expensive to service. Just as you should inspect your electrical, furnace, and other household systems periodically, so should you take a close look and an attic.

At least diligently searched year, grab your flashlight and head into the attic. Research water stains on your chimney or other openings, inspect any protruding nails for rust, and watch for mold and mildew. Insulation should appear dry and puffy, not damp or flat.

Moisture isn't one attic danger, either. Summer heat can cause the temperature inside your attic to soar, which can dry rafters, resulting in warping and breaks. Extreme temperatures inside also shorten the life of asphalt shingles, so be sure to examine your roof also. In addition, super-heated attic air can force your air conditioning unit to work overtime, driving up your electric bill.

Solutions for Common Attic Issues

In an effort to combat the oven-like temperatures in a typical attic, builders install soffit or ridge vents. Because heat rises, theoretically it should escape through these divots. The reality, however, is that the air in your attic must first heat to the reason for expansion before it will be forced out regarding your vent. By period that happens, the wood and plaster used to make your home have warmed, and are transferring the heat of the attic into the room.

Solar attic fans work to lessen heat in household by mechanically moving air through your attic. Unlike an easy vent, fans force the hot air out, reducing the temperature by up to 15 degrees, and helping to pun intended, the heat from radiating throughout your personal. In addition to keeping the heat from exploding in the summer, fans help prevent moisture build-up in cooler months, reducing the risk of mold and rotting raw wood. And, unlike typical fans, solar attic fans don't require electricity to work, so you won't see an increase in your utility utilities.

Tax Benefits for Homeowners

Another major advantage solar attic fans have over their traditional counterparts is tax savings. During their economic stimulus package, the government is equipped with an 30% tax credit on qualified energy upgrades. That's truly a deduction, it's a rebate, so it's equivalent to an automatic savings of 30% on any improvements you make onto your home's energy efficiency, up to $1500.

Since there's no need for a new hookup, solar attic fans are in order to install, is free of charge to operate, and help to protect your home without damaging the environment. Combine their cooling power with a careful inspection of your attic, and you will prevent problems like moisture and excessive heat from damaging your home's structure and shortening the lifetime of your attic. And thanks to lower electric bills and another tax refund, you'll enjoy some money in your bank account as effectively.