Solar Attic Fan: How It Works?
Solar Attic Fan is powered by the sun and the sun only. It is also increases fresh air circulation which reduces vapor builds up generated by everyday activities like showering and cooking. A solar attic fan works pretty much like you'd expect it to. The fan itself is installed near the ridge of your home's roof, and is then connected to a set of low powered photovoltaic solar cells that provide the fan with enough electricity to get the fan spinning when the sun is shining.
A solar attic fan uses photovoltaic panels to convert sunlight into electrical power. The electricity generated is used to turn a fan motor, exhausting air from the attic of a home.
How it works?
A solar attic fan, converts the solar energy to electrical energy, stores it and drives a motor which in turn drives the vanes of the fan to generate air, exhaust or intake. During the day, when there is solar power, (sunny day), the solar energy (rays) from the sun is stored for night consumption. (Energy saving). That is the real purpose of a solar attic fan.
The attic becomes warmest when the sun is the strongest. A solar attic fan runs the hardest when the sun is strongest. Everyday home activities such as cooking and showering create moisture which collects in the attic and promotes mold and mildew growth, reduces the effectiveness of insulation, and attacks the wooden attic structure. Year round fresh air circulation from a solar attic fan removes this moisture and prevents moisture related problems.
Visit SOLAR ATTIC FAN website for more detail information such as benefits, uses and installation guides of solar attic fan.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
solar fan?
does anybody know how to build a solarpower fan?-
ANSWER:
1. Check the power consumption on a typical fan that runs on mains energy.2. Search online for a solar panel that outputs mains current. It has the inverter and step-up transformers already built in. I've seen them online.
3. Ensure the panel outputs the necessary wattage
4. Stick the panel in the sun, plug in the fan. It should work
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QUESTION:
how can i make a solar fan out of house supplies?
help i need a solar fan for my chicks-
ANSWER:
Check out the Maplin website - a whole zoo of solar power parts.http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=solar&source=15&SD=Y
They may also have a store near to you where you could explain your 'chicks' needs.
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QUESTION:
How can I activate the solar attic fan in the roof and how can I be alert when it does not work?
I moved into a house, on the roof of which a solar attic fan is installed. I am wondering if the fan activates automatically when I turn on A/C or heat or fan in the control box on the wall in my living room. Also, I am wondering how I can be alert when it does not work. Thank you in advance.-
ANSWER:
Many of those types of fans work on a thermostat. When the temperature in your attic gets above a certain degree the fan come on. You will just have to go up in the attic on a really hot day to see if it is on and working.
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QUESTION:
How is the solar attic fan activated?
I moved in a house on the roof of which, a solar attic fan is installed. How is the solar attic fan activated? When I run A/C or heat or fan by clicking buttons in the control panel, does the solar attic fan also runs accordingly? Or, is there usually a separate switch button to activate the solar attic fan? What is the impact or role of the attic fan on reducing humidity in the house? For example,can I remove water condensation problem occurring inside of air duct when the attic fan runs in the optimal schedule? Thank you in advance.-
ANSWER:
Hey S, the solar fan has no wiring or controls. This is how it works. The attic only absorbs heat when the sun shines on the roof of the house. Once enough sun is hitting the roof, enough is hitting the small solar panel built into the fan housing, and the fan begins to run. The brighter the sun, the faster the solar fan runs, so it helps keep the attic cool by increasing the airflow through the attic as the solar heating increases as well. At dusk, the fan begins to slow until the sun is no longer strong enough to power the panel, which happens to be when the sun is no longer heating the attic either. They are a farily simple device, we have one on our boat that works the same way, drawing air through the cabin whenever the sun is shining on the deck making things warmer. If you can confirm it is running, either by hearing it on a sunny day, or putting your hand on it and feeling it run, then it does not need any service, just leave it be. Good luck, Rudydoo
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QUESTION:
Want to use a solar powered fan to cool greenhouse durring summer?
The Green house is a springhouse so there are no heavy supports. There are two doors with mesh openings but heat still collects on the celling. I would love to hook up a solar powered fan system to create a breeze. I dont understand how to do it. I think there ma be a way to buy a solar panel with a battery charger and a couple of fans but not sure. Any help appreciated. thank you.-
ANSWER:
The easiest way is to just buy a DC fan and a solar panel. When the sun's out, the fan's on. Here's a solar powered gable fan that has both the fan and the panel. You can also get the switch that automatically turns it on when it reaches 80 and off when it cools to 70. http://www.altestore.com/store/Lighting-Fans/Solar-Attic-Fan/Natural-Light-Solar-Gable-Fan-10-Watt-Photovoltaic/p4106/
If that's too big, maybe a small floor fan like this, http://www.altestore.com/store/Lighting-Fans/Vent-Other-Fans/12V-DC-Freedom-Floor-Fan-12/p8203/ and a small solar panel like http://www.altestore.com/store/Solar-Panels/Kyocera-KS20-20W-12V-Solar-Panel/p721/
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