REPAIRING THE ATTIC FAN OR WHOLE-HOUSE FAN, by Tijana Spasic
Attic fans
Attic fans are an inexpensive and effective way of cooling the attic, and thereby the whole house, but they require some maintenance. They can get invaded by pests, often develop cracks and break over time. A high quality product is always recommended – which includes a heavy screen to stop pests and metal construction, since plastic fans do not hold up as well and tend to crack over time.
Fans that have strong motors tend to run quietly for up to 12 years, while the cheaper ones often hum even at low speeds.
When running an attic fan, you should make sure that the attic vents are open, so that the hot air can escape. In case of a whole-house fan, always take care that all windows are open and that there is no fire in the fireplace, because air movement could set the house on fire.
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The annoying humming noises
One of the frequent objections that people have with whole house fans is the sound that they create while running. The three basic problems are air noise, motor vibration and shutter rattle. The humming noises can sometimes be eliminated by changing the control, if it has an anti-hum feature.
Fans that have strong motors tend to run quietly for up to 12 years, while the cheaper ones often hum even at low speeds. A rule of thumb is that the more blades a fan has, the quieter it will be. In any case, every fan will be quieter when run at a slower speed, which also saves electricity.
Better types of whole house fans isolate the fan from the home's framing with foam strips or rubber mountings, which lower the vibration of the motor through the framing and drywall of the home. Heavier fans are better because they rest on foam weather stripping held down only by their own weight. Higher quality shutters are also heavier and have an adjustable spring that prevents the shutters from oscillating and clapping.
Damp smell coming from a whole house fan
A damp smell that a whole-house fan can produce could be the result of air being drawn into the house from the crawlspace or from the attic. If the damp smell is coming from the attic, there are probably some other hidden problems there, such as a roof leak or excessive moisture due to improper venting.
The fan doesn't work
If the attic fan or whole-house fan doesn't work, the first thing to do is check if it's receiving electrical power from its switch and from the circuit breaker or fuse box.
If you suspect that the motor has burned down or stopped working, you can try shutting off the power and replacing the fan motor. It shouldn't involve any electrical wiring, since most fan motors simply plug into a container inside the housing.
If it still doesn't work, the problem is in the switch, the wiring or the fixture, and you should call an electrician.
The fan works but provides no airflow
This difficulty is usually caused by a loose or broken belt that runs from the fan motor to the blower drum. You can try to replace the belt yourself, but it would be advisable to call a repair person for replacement.
Hire a professional to solve the problem
Hiring a qualified and experienced electrician is always the best choice, because dealing with electricity can be very dangerous for a non-qualified person. Security and long lasting effects should always be more important than cutting down the expenses.
Find local electricians on this site now, and check reviews from other homeowners who have used their services. And be sure to follow these hiring tips when selecting any contractor.
