If you did not have the opportunity to see or purchase one of our amazing solar powered attic fans over the summer, now is not the time to exclude these marvels from your budget. They are effective in both summer and winter. Your attic needs to breathe. In the summer, the fans move the air from sun-up to sundown off the grid keeping the air moving and the temperature down, and in the winter, the fans circulate the accumulation of moisture that builds up in an attic from the kitchen and bathroom, preventing mold growth and other expensive issues.
We are getting close to the end of the tax year. The Federal Solar Tax Energy Credit now sits at 30%. For each subsequent year, that percentage drops. While you are planning your budget for the end of 2020, you may want to invest in a reasonably priced, high quality product that allows you to reap benefits from both a cost and comfort perspective. Your home is your greatest asset. Why not show it some well-deserved love too?
Give us a call at 856-474-2400 or visit our web page where you can fill out a simple form requesting a free inspection of your attic. We can send one of our highly qualified Attic Specialists to your home with a fan in hand. You can take a look, ask questions, and our inspector will determine what type of attic fan will do the trick. There is never any obligation and we love meeting our neighbors who live in the communities we all share.
https://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/solar-fans-in-winter-and-summer.png1123794adminhttps://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/attics-and-more-2021.pngadmin2020-09-16 22:57:442023-01-31 00:17:35Why Our Solar Attic Fans Are Effective in Both Summer and Winter
As we complete more and more attic inspections, it’s becoming a concerning reality that many homeowners have no idea what kind of shape their attic is in.
Not knowing what’s going on with your attic is careless. There’s really no excuse. We understand it can be a “pain” or a “hassle”, but your attic requires the same attention and maintenance as any other area of your home.
We’ve seen health concerns such as fiberglass emitting a synthetic material called styrene, a possible carcinogenic per the American Lung Association. We’ve seen depleted insulation: aged, compressed, and saturated. We’ve seen infestation from sealing issues.
How Hot Attics Impact Your Home’s Health
Even with the aforementioned issues, the one attic issue we see and feel the most is from insufficient ventilation. HOT ATTICS POSE PROBLEMS. Elevated attic temperatures can result in overheated ducts and an overworked air conditioner. Let’s not forget to mention that attic-heat build up radiates into your living space making you hot, resulting in you blasting your air condition. How does that wallet feel?
The photos above show what can happen when you don’t have proper ventilation. Turns out you may not be the only one sweating. Your attic can sweat too. These photos document a hot attic and the residue of tree sap dripping from the rafters. Essentially, the attic was so hot that it was deteriorating.
How Homeowners Can Improve Attic Ventilation
Fortunately for this homeowner, we were able to address the issue in a timely manner. The installation of our solar fan will continuously exchange attic air to avoid future heat build up. In turn, a more efficient air conditioner, cooler ducting, cooler living spaces, and lower cooling costs. They say “don’t sweat the small stuff”. That may be sometimes true, but in your attic’s case, the small stuff can lead to big time problems.
Want to receive a no-cost solar attic fan?
Contact Michele DuCoin at 856-809-2744 to schedule your free attic inspection and learn how to receive a no-cost solar attic fan!
https://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/sappy-attic-4.jpg20481152adminhttps://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/attics-and-more-2021.pngadmin2019-07-13 18:03:492023-01-31 00:21:55A Sappy Attic Is Not A Happy Attic
Solar attic fans are a fantastic option for homeowners looking to reduce energy costs and increase the comfort of their homes.
These innovative fans harness the power of the sun to circulate air and remove excess heat from the attic, creating a more comfortable and energy-efficient living environment.
While many people wonder if solar attic fans are effective on cloudy days, it’s important to remember that they still work, although their performance may be reduced compared to sunny days. Solar attic fans use photovoltaic cells to convert sunlight into electricity, and on cloudy days there may be less light available to power the fan.
Despite this, it’s worth noting that even on cloudy days, some light is still available to power the fan, meaning that it will still run, although potentially at a slower pace. Solar attic fans are designed to work in a range of light conditions, including overcast skies, so they are still an effective solution even on cloudy days.
Solar attic fans offer many benefits and can provide equal or even greater power than traditional electrical fans. They are a more environmentally friendly option with zero operating costs, and high-quality models are designed to be durable and long-lasting. The power and effectiveness of solar attic fans can vary, so homeowners need to pay careful attention to the specifications and choose one that is well-suited to their specific needs.
When looking for a solar attic fan that will be effective in cloudy conditions, homeowners should consider several key factors:
Panel efficiency: Look for panels with high-efficiency ratings, allowing them to generate more power even in low light conditions.
Panel material: Choose panels made of materials with high light transmission rates, such as low iron glass, which will help to maximize the amount of light that reaches the cells even on cloudy days.
Battery capacity: Look for models with a high-capacity battery that can store excess energy generated during sunny periods and use it to power the fan during cloudy days.
Fan size: Consider the fan size and ensure it is suitable for your attic space. A larger fan will be more powerful and able to circulate air more effectively, even on cloudy days.
Warranty: Look for models with a good warranty and strong customer support to know that your fan will be covered if anything goes wrong.
By paying attention to these critical factors, homeowners can ensure that their solar attic fan is effective and efficient, even on cloudy days.
Summary
In conclusion, solar attic fans are a smart investment for homeowners looking to reduce their energy costs and improve the comfort of their homes. With careful attention to specifications and suitability, homeowners can find the perfect solar attic fan for their needs and enjoy the benefits of this innovative technology, even on cloudy days.
https://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/solar-attic-fans-cloudy-days.jpg15321367adminhttps://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/attics-and-more-2021.pngadmin2019-06-30 19:54:362023-02-01 02:06:30Do Solar Attic Fans Work on Cloudy Days?
Many homeowners install attic fans in the summer because they are designed to vent out accumulated hot air in the attic. However, too few homeowners know that attic fans have year-round value.
In the wintertime, the role of an attic fan is reversed — this is arguably the most important time of year to have one. This is especially the case in New Jersey’s Delaware Valley. With Northeast winter temperatures ranging from bone-chilling cold to almost spring-like sunny days, an attic fan is essential to prevent damage to your home and to help you save money on your energy bills.
What do attic fans do?
Attic fans work to equalize the temperature inside and outside of your home. The New Jersey Field Guide for Energy Auditors and Inspectors explains the importance of a properly ventilated attic, stating that “Attic ventilation is supposed to remove moisture from the attic during the heating season and to remove solar heat from the attic during the cooling season.”
Attic ventilation impacts a home’s energy efficiency and attics are often one of the most poorly ventilated areas of a home. Ventilation is essentially what allows a home to breathe and this is vital for a healthier living environment, a stronger and longer lasting home, and reduced energy costs. The main function of proper home ventilation is to retain cool, clean air and remove heat, moisture, and pollution.
There are three different types of ventilation that each uniquely works to improve the state of your home and the life of its inhabitants. The first type of ventilation is natural ventilation. Examples of natural ventilation include windows, screen doors, and pet doors. Natural ventilation is present in all homes to some degree. The second type of ventilation is whole-home ventilation and this is the most common form of ventilation found in modern housing. Whole-home ventilation includes exhaust ducts and vents throughout the home that work to circulate airflow and provide deliberate ventilation. The third type of ventilation is spot ventilation. Spot ventilation provides ventilation to a specific area of the home such as attics and basements.
An attic fan is a type of spot ventilation and its primary function is to remove moisture and hot air from the attic. They work simply by pushing out hot air from the attic and pulling in cooler air from outside. The constant exchange of moist, warm air from the attic with dry, cool air from outside prevents condensation. This same process also helps to prevent ice dams from forming by keeping the attic at an even temperature. Having an attic fan in the cooler months prevents the likelihood of costly home repairs and structural damage.
What could happen without an attic fan?
Condensation. In the winter, heat rises through a home and takes moisture and humidity along with it. The moisture and humidity originate from spaces like the kitchen, laundry room, and bathroom showers in addition to the heat that is constantly running in your home. When the humidity rises and increases in a space such as an attic, moisture condenses out of the trapped air and drips onto insulation and the building structure itself.
The Department of Energy states that proper ventilation is one important piece of having a moisture control strategy. Without a strong moisture control strategy, your home is at risk for a whole host of problems.
If the insulation absorbs too much water, it becomes less effective and ultimately leads to heat loss in the home. If the structure of the home begins to absorb water it can result in wood rot, mold and fungus growth, and the breakdown of roofing materials altogether.
Ice dams. When warm indoor air rises to the peak of an attic, snow on the heated part of the roof melts and flows down to a part of the roof that is below 32°F. The process of snow thawing and refreezing causes an ice dam.
Ice dams prevent proper drainage through gutters and downspouts and can wreak havoc on your home’s eaves, gutters, and roofing. Eventually, the water pushes its way into the attic through cracks in the roof and could then seep into your ceiling and interior walls. A solar attic fan prevents the attic from becoming warm enough to cause ice dams.
Concentrated hot air in the attic could also heat up space under roof shingles. Over time, this will cause the shingles to become brittle and ineffective, ultimately shortening the lifespan of your roof.
According to the State of New Jersey Construction Code Communicator, “adequate attic ventilation is a long-standing requirement in building codes for moisture control.” It is imperative to have a properly ventilated attic at all times of the year. All it takes to prevent attic-related winter woes is to install a solar attic fan on your home. Solar attic fans draw their power from the energy of the sun, cost nothing to run, and are an excellent way to improve a home’s energy efficiency all year long. Compared to solar attic fans, the increased costs to run electric-powered attic fans offset the cooling benefit they provide. Solar attic fans save energy and help you save money in the long run.
Choose Delaware Valley’s Best
Call us at 856-809-2744 or click here to schedule a free attic inspection and to learn how to prevent condensation and ice damming from causing your home the winter blues.
https://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Solar-Fan-Demo.jpg15362048adminhttps://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/attics-and-more-2021.pngadmin2019-03-05 15:27:032023-03-05 21:28:46Why Attic Fans Are Important During Delaware Valley Winters
https://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/solar-fans-nj-pa-de.jpg7201500adminhttps://atticsandmore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/attics-and-more-2021.pngadmin2018-09-26 18:08:062022-10-14 15:43:06How Many Solar Attic Fans Do I Need?
