Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 01, 1999 10:03am | #1

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   gunpepper, (what the hell is that?)

   If you mean attic fans, they are wonderful.

   Grainger still sells them in all sizes. Belt drive is the way to go. I pulled an old Zepher Attic Fan (50") out of an attic in a house that was built about 1930. Mounted it in a big box with chicken wire on the front and back, got me a new Dayton motor and belt, fired it up, and wow. Great fan for the shop or job site. Really cranks out the breeze.

   I'd love to have one in my house. They are used to draw the air out of the house through the gable vents. Just open the windows and doors and there you go. Major ventalation. Attic fans were the fore runner to A/C. They work just as good today as they did back when they were state-of-the-art.

   If I ever build me a house, I'll put in an attic fan.......no doubt.

   Ed. Williams

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 02, 1999 04:00am | #2

   * Fred,

   I guess you figure that if there blind and dumb, better they should stay that way. Who needs another blood letting. I wondered how you would respond to this one. Nice tact.

   Joseph Fusco View Image

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 02, 1999 04:51am | #3

   *Gunpepper, I don't know if you're a DIYer, or an experienced contractor, but, with no intent to insult, I'll offer this in addition to the excellent advice you have received: IF the home in which you plan to install the fan was framed with TRUSSES, do not casually cut through bottom chords to frame in the fan opening ... you will need an engineered truss modification to maintain the integrity of the structure.Good luck, Steve

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 03, 1999 06:33am | #4

   *FredL:I would have thought that you would not recommend a whole house fan because of the possibility of introducing moisture into the attic - being one of the most ardent members of the con-vent party and all?Sorry, I didn't quite get what Joe was insinuating.

1. 
   Guest_ | Aug 03, 1999 11:21am | #5

   *Is there a WHF solution for an attic-less roof?And just how dangerous is that water heater anyway, assuming it is burning correctly. I'm surprised they don't have a vent-free one by now, what with the fireplaces they're selling. (I'm suspicious of them too. I did find out they have catalytic converters, which explains where some of the pollutants go.)

2. 
   Guest_ | Aug 03, 1999 06:27pm | #6

   *A major drawback to the fan FredL recommends is that it's very weak compared to the three foot, belt-driven models. But, on the plus side, it only uses about 70 watts, a major consideration in an older home with probably already overloaded upstairs circuits, it's quieter than the warehouse fan, and no joists have to be cut. You also don't have to worry about foo-foo dogs and toddlers getting sucked up into it. I'd like to see this fan up close, as the ads all show it from the attic vantage. What does is look like from the hallway below it?I would think that the backdrafting issue would be moot, as I assume people would open their windows when using a whole house fan. If not, the house could implode, right?

3. 
   Guest_ | Aug 04, 1999 03:04am | #7

   *Gunpeper:go to this link and read this article:www.eren.doe/buildings/home_fan.htm

2. 
   Fustrated! | Aug 05, 1999 10:03pm | #8

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   Hay Matt G.

   http://www.eren.doe/buildings/home_fan.htm does not work.
   Did you type it incorrectly?
   You have my couriosity up, what's it about anyway?

3. 
   gunpepper_ | Aug 06, 1999 01:45am | #9

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   I would like some good advice on whole house fans. Like who makes the best ones,what size to get,belt drive or direct drive,how many fan blades should it have, etc... The house is a ranch style & about 2300 sq. ft. living space. Do I need to do anything special to install one ??? ....Thanks for all your help !!!....Gunpepper

4. 
   Guest_ | Aug 06, 1999 01:45am | #10

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   try:

   http://www.eren.doe.gov/buildings/home_fan.html