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Install a Whole-House Fan

Brian Gregory

By Brian Gregory
Updated April 23, 2021

Enjoy the benefits of a whole-house fan as an effective alternative or complement to home air conditioning. The concept is simple, by bringing cooler outdoor air into the house, you can take advantage of nature’s own cooling system.

Skill

Intermediate

Time

One Day

Whole-house fan.

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

Note

Product costs, availability and item numbers may vary online or by market.

Calculating the Fan Size and Ventilation

1. Calculate the interior square footage of your home's living area. Don't include the garage, attic or basement.

2. Multiply this number by 3 to obtain the fan size.

Example: 2,000 square feet x 3 = 6,000 CFM (Cubic Feet of air moved per Minute).

Because a whole-house fan exhausts stale, warm air into the attic, a properly sized attic ventilation system is also required to exhaust that air out of the attic.

To determine how much attic ventilation you need, divide the fan's CFM by 750.

Example: 6,000 / 750 = 8 square feet of attic ventilation needed.

Fan Types

There are two types of whole-house fans, and installation instructions for the two differ. Read the instructions for belt-driven fans or direct-drive fans carefully. For both installations you'll need a helper.

  • Direct-drive fan’s blades attach to the motor shaft.
  • A belt-driven fan’s blade assembly is separate, using a pulley and belt to circulate air. Belt-driven fans are generally quieter.

Installing Whole-House Fans

When working with electricity always:

  • Turn OFF electricity at the main fuse box (or circuit breaker box) that controls the power to the fixture or the room you're working on.
  • Test the wires to ensure the power is OFF.
  • Place the wall switch in the OFF position.
  • All electrical connections must be in agreement with local codes. Check with local authorities to see if a permit is required.
  • If in doubt, contact a qualified electrician.

Search the attic for the proper location. The ideal location is the center of the hallway ceiling with no obstructions from ducts, plumbing or electric wires.

Caution

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and safety. Check to see if you need a permit. Observe applicable building and electrical codes. Contact a licensed electrician if you have any doubts or questions about the connections, or if your home's wiring doesn't appear compatible with the changes you're making.

Installing Belt-Driven Whole-House Fans

Installing Direct-Drive Whole-House Fans