Heating and cooling older homes
Don't be scared of an older heating or cooling system. Systems can be inspected or retrofit to maintain the integrity of your older home.
Whole house fans
A whole-house fan, also known as an attic fan, provides great ventilation, lowers indoor temperatures and lowers summer electric bills.
With the flip of a switch, a whole-house fan pulls cooler outside air through open windows and sends hot indoor air out through the attic. It can lower the temperature in your home by five degrees in just a few minutes.
Installing a whole-house fan can be a do-it-yourself project if you have some home-improvement experience in wiring, and you have adequate space in your attic. If not, you can hire an electrician or handyman to install it for you.
Factors like outside temperatures and humidity levels can affect how well a whole-house fan works. A good rule of thumb is to use the whole house fan when outside temperatures are below 85 degrees.
When the temperature climbs higher than that, or if the humidity level is uncomfortable, it's more effective to use your air conditioner.
To calculate the required vent space, divide your CFM by 750 - this gives you the number of square feet of attic vent space needed. If your vents are screened or louvered, double that amount.
It's also important to insulate the fan opening during the winter - the louvers don't seal tightly, making it a prime place for heat loss.
Inexpensive energy-saver
One of the biggest advantages of a whole-house fan is the cost - only $150 to $350, compared to thousands of dollars for a central air conditioner. And when used in place of a central air conditioner, it can lower your cooling costs by 30 percent.Installing a whole-house fan can be a do-it-yourself project if you have some home-improvement experience in wiring, and you have adequate space in your attic. If not, you can hire an electrician or handyman to install it for you.
Use alone or with an air conditioner
You can use a whole-house fan as a cooling system by itself, or you can combine it with your central air conditioner to help cool the house more quickly.Factors like outside temperatures and humidity levels can affect how well a whole-house fan works. A good rule of thumb is to use the whole house fan when outside temperatures are below 85 degrees.
When the temperature climbs higher than that, or if the humidity level is uncomfortable, it's more effective to use your air conditioner.
Choose the right size
To gauge your cooling needs, multiply your home's square footage by three to calculate the cubic feet of air moved per minute (CFM).To calculate the required vent space, divide your CFM by 750 - this gives you the number of square feet of attic vent space needed. If your vents are screened or louvered, double that amount.
Allow for good airflow
When you're using a whole-house fan, it's important to allow for good airflow - make sure you leave a window or door open to keep the air moving and avoid damaging your system.It's also important to insulate the fan opening during the winter - the louvers don't seal tightly, making it a prime place for heat loss.
More from this category
Installing a heating and cooling system
One of the biggest purchases a homeowner can make is to install a new furnace and air conditioner. Learn what you need to know when faced with this big decision.
Space heating and furnace myths
There are lots of "tips" out there that may not be true or safe. Find out how to separate facts from fiction.
Learning thermostats
Discover how the next generation of smart thermostats adjust your home’s temperature based on your behavior and weather forecasts.
Radiant floor heating
Heating from the floor is comfortable and very energy efficient. See how it's installed and how it works.
Getting a new fireplace
Is it time to upgrade your fireplace? Learn how you can improve your home's efficiency with the right fireplace.
A/C tune up
Learn how professionals tune up your air conditioner and get some tips on how you can keep it running at peak performance.
Furnace filters
Changing or cleaning your furnace filter is one of the easiest things you can do to prolong the life of your heating and air conditioning system.
Sealing ductwork
Leaky ductwork is one of the most common household problems. Luckily, it's easy to fix with the right materials.