Are solar electric fans worth it?

Fan powered by solar energy

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A portable solar fan with externally mounted solar panels

A solar fan is a mechanical fan powered by solar panels. The solar panels are either mounted on the device or are installed independently. Solar fans mostly do not require secondary power sources other than solar power, as most of them are used for cooling purposes during day time. Some types are also used for heating purposes. It runs the fastest when it is the hottest outside providing savings on air conditioning costs.[1]

Attic fans

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An attic fan

Attic heat is caused by the sun baking down on the roof surface. This sunlight causes the roofing material to heat up, thus transferring the heat into the attic via thermal transfer. The buildup of heat is generally dissipated by normal convection, i.e.: as the air is heated it expands and rises, flowing out of the attic through vents placed at or near the peak, while fresh air is pulled into the attic from intake vents that are generally in the eave (soffit) area. However, most roof vents are inadequate at expelling the heat and require the use of a powered vent fan to remove heat effectively. A solar powered attic fan is an effective way to remove attic heat using only the power of the sun to run the fan.

Roof mounted

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Weatherproof cap on a roof-mounted fan

A roof-mounted solar attic fan can be effective in removing excessive heat from the attic. When mounted near the peak the solar fan forces hot air out while pulling fresh air in via eave/soffit vents. This exchange of air keeps the attic space from overheating.[2] Solar attic fans not only lower the cooling costs of the home, they also extend the life of the shingle roof.

Gable mounted

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It is similar to the roof mounted solar fan, except that its installation is a little different. Most attic fans are installed on the roof surface, whereas gable fans are installed in the gables, inside the attic and behind an existing louvered gable vent as the name suggests. They are mostly installed in places like greenhouse, cabin, RV's garages or barns and other storage places where heat and moisture are usually present. These types of fans are generally installed behind intake grills to provide ventilation. Gable Solar Fans are usually installed high on the gable close to the ridge and are also coupled with soffit or roof vents for well-balanced intake and exhaust air avenues. The airflow depends upon the level of sunlight when there is more sunlight, the airflow will be more resulting in enhanced cooling. It is also capable of lowering the air conditioning costs by cooling the attic.

Since the only source of energy is from the solar panel for a solar fan. It is important to have a larger solar panel to get the better performance from the solar fan. Amtrak Solar makes one of the most powerful solar fans in United States.

In , solar fans were installed on the terminal roofs of Honolulu International Airport, in addition to the mansion of Indiana governor. In the Indiana State Senate passed a bill giving a tax deduction to homeowners with solar fans.[1]

Advantages

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• A solar fan is more environmentally friendly than a regular electrically powered one, and produces fewer carbon emissions.
• Though initially the installation may be costlier, in the long term it would turn out to be cheaper because it does not use power from the utility grid and may provide savings up to 30 percent on air conditioning costs.

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• Risk of electric accidents are eliminated as there are no electric cords attached to the solar fan.
• A cordless appliance offers much more mobility compared to conventional fans.

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See also

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References

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Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Additional reading:
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing 72 Cell PV Module

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 16 inch solar rechargeable stand fan wholesaler.

As summer draws near, so do those pesky air conditioning bills. On average, it costs $0.06 to $0.88 per hour for your air conditioner to be running (depending on your A/C unit). That may not seem like a lot, but costs will certainly add up with your A/C running 24/7.

If you&#;re trying to save money on bills long-term, then you should be asking yourself: are solar fans worth it?

The answer is: absolutely!

Below, we&#;re highlighting the benefits of solar fans and why having them around is a worthy measure. Keep reading if you&#;re interested in solar energy and want to learn more about how these fans can contribute to your cooling needs. 

How Do Solar Fans Work?

We all know that heat rises, so your upstairs bedrooms and bonus rooms likely get sweltering in those summer months. If you&#;re looking to cut down your bills and allow your HVAC system a little break, look no further than solar fans. 

When these fans are installed in your attic, they provide that much-needed ventilation to keep your rooms cooler. 

Essentially, these fans pull that superheated air out of your musty attic and replace it with the cooler outside air. 

Yes, you can achieve this with any line-powered fan placed in your attic. You wouldn&#;t get the same savings, though. The sun&#;s energy is a free resource with unlimited power, especially in the summer. 

It is better for the environment and better for your wallet.

Why Are Solar Fans Worth it?

The initial investment can seem daunting when first looking into solar fan installation. But as with anything regarding solar energy, the long-term benefits outweigh the initial cost. 

Depending on the size of your home, expert installers recommend two solar attic fans to see a difference in the cooling of your home. The cost of these varies between $300 and $500, with an additional $100-$150 for professional installation. 

If you&#;ve dabbled with carpentry, you can save money by installing them yourself! It is a quick and easy process; allowing you to get these fans running as soon as possible. 

If you&#;re in your forever home and want to do small renovations for long-term enjoyment, solar fans might be a solution for you!

A Cost-Effective Way to Cool Your Home

The best part of installing energy-efficient solutions in your home is the potential for a federal tax credit of up to 30 percent! And the return on investment just keeps building. 

Depending on your area&#;s electricity rates, it may take more time to see that return on investment come into play. For a home around 1,000 square feet, installing two solar attic fans saves around 460 kWh. This typically amounts to $50 per year. 

This is why it is important to take into account whether you&#;ll be staying in this home for the long haul. While solar fans can also increase your home&#;s value, we want you to experience the joy of the ROI. 

But there are more reasons than financial interests to consider this for your home!

An Eco-Friendly Way to Stay Cool This Summer

Renewable energy solutions are where this economy is shifting towards. They last longer, the ROI is higher, and the effect they have on climate change is positive.

Anything you can do to decrease your electricity usage is worth it in the eyes of mother nature! 

The sun powers the world&#;s ecosystems, so let&#;s take advantage of what else it can power. Solar panels can power your home, and now there are solar fans to keep you cool amongst the sun&#;s intense heat. 

Installing solar attic fans will lower your carbon footprint. By how much though? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, one kWh produces 0.85 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. 

Assuming you save 460 kWh through the use of solar fans, that is 391 pounds of CO2 emissions that won&#;t be released into our atmosphere each year. All through your decision to invest in green energy!

Additional Benefits of Attic Ventilation

In addition to saving money on your electric bills and reducing your carbon footprint, there are more benefits to installing solar fans in your attic. 

Proper ventilation is important in any home for better air quality and efficient heat and cooling. Solar fans help provide ventilation throughout your entire house with the power of the sun&#;therefore, no additional costs are necessary.

With this, mold growth and fungal decay can be prevented. This is especially important for homes in more humid areas, where the risk of fungus and mold is heightened. 

If you use your attic for the storage of miscellaneous items, ventilation in that area will allow for further preservation of these things. 

Additionally, your roof&#;s life can be extended with the use of solar fans. This is another way to inadvertently save money. 

To make sure that you&#;re getting the most out of your solar fans and panels, make sure they&#;re facing in the direction that gets the most sun. It is also helpful to give the panels a good cleaning every once and a while in order to ensure the most sunlight can be soaked up for maximum energy usage. 

This Summer&#;s New Project

If you&#;re someone who&#;s always on the lookout for energy-efficient ways to improve your home, you no longer have to wonder: are solar fans worth it? 

They are quiet, sustainable ventures that have a variety of benefits for homeowners. With Energy Attic, your solar fans will come fully assembled and can be installed in under an hour!

Contact Us For a Free Estimate

Get in touch with Energy Attic to discuss your requirements and obtain an estimate.

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