Solar fan. Attic fans in general work to help keep a house cooler in the summer by exhausting the hot air that has risen and collected in the attic or crawl space. Traditionally, there have been two basic types: fans powered by electricity or by passive turbines that only work when the wind is blowing. Now you can buy a solar attic fan to take care of your cooling needs.

Solar fans use sunlight to power the fan, so they work best in full sunlight and normally a southern exposure increases efficiency. Don't overestimate the capabilities of your solar powered fan. Buy the correct size or number to handle your needs. If you have a large attic, it may take more than one solar attic fan to see any appreciable difference in the house temperature. Compute your square footage before you shop, and then read the manufacturer's ratings to see if you are buying a fan that will handle the area.

Cabins, boats, and sheds can also benefit from a solar fan. Some fans are designed specifically for marine use, so boat owners should select accordingly. Also, in humid climates or areas with cold winters, a thermostat (which is not normally included with a solar powered fan but is very inexpensive) is recommended to optimize the performance of the fan.

One excellent choice is Big Frog Mountain's Solar Attic Fanwith 25 year Warranty. It has a 10 watt solar panel which is already assembled and ready for installation. The 25 year warranty covers the solar panel, the attic fan housing, and the solar attic fan motor. Its solar panel can be adjusted up to a 45 degree angle or left flat, and can even be removed for remote mounting to obtain the best exposure to sunlight. The manufacturer does not recommend this solar fan for a flat roof or side mount. As a solar attic fan, it will move up to 850 cubic feet of air each minute, and is rated for a 1200 square foot attic. If your attic is larger, you will need to install more than one. This fan features a seamless aluminum body that normally does not require additional caulking. Users report that it is easy to install and to adjust, although many recommend the use of a thermostat with it. Like all solar fans, it works best if the solar panel is in full sun, or at least receives full sun during peak hours. This is because a solar powered fan will operate at a faster speed as sun increases, and will therefore exhaust more air.

Another good solar fan is the Air Vent Solar Gable Fan. Designed to ventilate attics of 1200 square feet or smaller, this fan draws air from the soffit and then the fan pushes the air out a vent in front of the fan. This unit comes with a 10 foot cord for the panel. The solar panel needs to be mounted to receive direct sunlight in order for the fan to function properly.

If you need a small space fan that operates 24 hours a day, you might want to consider the Sunsei Day/Night Solar Powered Vent. The unit uses two AA NiMh batteries and can run up to 48 hours without sunlight. Although customers report poor instructions, the unit does not require wiring and can be installed on a wide variety of surfaces, including glass, metal, plastic and wood. This fan works well in humid climates and can reduce heat and condensation on boats or in greenhouses. It is ideal for RV's and cabins as well. Silent operation and battery backup make this model a good choice for many different uses.

A solar fan can help reduce your cooling bills by exhausting the hot air trapped in your attic or crawl space. Ease of installation coupled with free, renewable energy to power it make a solar powered fan one of the most economical and trouble free ways to experiment with going green.

Help us build our knowledge base for the benefit of all readers! If you have tried any of the above products or wish to suggest a better one, please send us your comments and suggestions. Thank you.

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