More on Passive Cooling....

In addition to making the most of shade to cool your home, attic fans do alot of work to minimize heat build up.

Adding an attic fan can run in range of price, from $100+. I think the most Eco friendly option is a solar attic fan kit. There are a variety of options on the market, usually running $200-$300. You can choose from options that install on the roof or gable. By choosing solar, you also save installation cost by avoiding having to run an electrical source to the fan's location.

There are many advantages of adding an attic fan.

• First and foremost, you help the environment by lowering energy consumption cooling your home! If you have air conditioning, an attic fan allows heat to exhaust from the attic so the air conditioning unit doesn't have to work so hard.


• You can extend the life of your roof. Roofing is exposed to tough conditions externally. When the heat builds in your attic, the roof materials suffer from the inside as well.


• In cold winter climates, the fan helps exhaust humidity. Snow loads can melt from the bottom up and turn to sheets of ice. I have experience with ice building up on a northern corner of my roof until it backed up under my shingles. Now I know why!


• Humidity buildup in the attic can be prevented. Humidity can cause mold growth in the attic that may eventually extend to the walls. By exhausting the humidity you have decreased the climate mold requires to grow!

Popular Mechanics has an outstanding article to give you an idea of what installation of an attic fan entails. Click on the picture for a link to the article!