Best Whole House Fans – Our Top 6 Picks

Central air conditioning, ceiling fans, and air coolers are not the only options to keep your house cool in the summer. If you’re looking for a cooling setup that uses less energy while producing fresh air, a whole house fan may be the route to take.

A whole house fan is placed on the topmost floor of your home. It pulls in the fresh air and exhausts stale, heated air through a roof outlet. Consequently, interior air quality improves, and temperature becomes more pleasant. 

Continue reading to discover which whole house fan is the best pick for you.

Types of Whole House Fans

As you might have already guessed, there are various distinct types of whole-house fans, each with its own set of characteristics. So let’s go over that prior to diving into which one is the best option.

There are three primary types in the market – standard, inline, and insulated.

Standard Type

Standard whole house fans resemble large box fans, but they are put in cellars or the last floor of your house. They are generally installed on the ceilings to provide ventilation to the whole space. 

These fans include louvres or valves that remain closed when used but open when the fan is turned on to allow air to be pushed outdoors.

Since they are the most economical and readily accessible option, large-diameter fans remain an excellent choice for homeowners in hotter areas. These are less expensive upfront, but installing them may be challenging.

These fans also feature venting holes that act as an open window throughout winter, allowing warm and humid air to escape through your roof efficiently.

Inline Type

Inline units may not circulate as much air as standard whole-house fans but allow you to create a soothing windy sensation throughout the house.

The intake port is more compact, does not require louvered panels, and is also simple to construct. The simplicity is there because of a retractable duct that connects the intake port to the fan.

Inline fans, like shielded door fans, have dampening doors that keep warm air from escaping during the winter.

Insulated Type

If you reside in a region with regular cold spells, what could be better than a fan that retains heat while not in use. 

Door fans include insulated panels that open on their own when turned on. Also, it keeps heat out throughout the summer while your air conditioner is working. 

While these do not circulate as much airflow as regular fans, they are often quieter, allowing them to be used all night.

As with regular fans, these devices are often put in a corridor. However, some compact models are engineered to fit between or round preexisting rafters or beams to facilitate easy installation.

How Do You Describe A Whole House Attic Fan?

A whole house attic fan is often vented into the attic of a structure used to circulate air throughout a standalone house or apartment.

It is occasionally mistaken with a motorized attic blower, which ejects warm air from the attic to the exterior via a moderate aperture in the rooftop or gable.

A whole house fan extracts air from a structure. It propels it into the attic area or via a roof or external openings in houses without attics.

This setting creates a positive pressure difference in the attic by driving the air out via the roof or ceiling ducts. These fans simultaneously make a negative pressure difference inside the living rooms, allowing air to enter through open windows.

Are Whole House Fans Worth It?

If you’re considering getting one of these fans due to their numerous advantages, you should know that you can only gain from these benefits if you select the proper one according to your needs.

Here’s how a high-quality fan may significantly enhance your lifestyle if you give it a try –

1. Less Expensive Than Other Types of Coolers 

You may expect to save money on your power bill by utilizing such a device. Additionally, you do not need an AC if you have a whole house fan.

2. Simple to Install with An Incredible Lifespan

Anyone may install these fans by following a few simple steps provided on the instruction manuals that come along with the fan. Additionally, they are designed to endure at least a decade, making them cost-effective, long-term investments.

3. Regulate the Temperature and Ventilation in Your House as Needed

You will be able to maintain a stable temperature that is pleasant for you without having to worry about adjustments and modifications.  

If your whole house fan is installed appropriately, you can be at ease knowing that it will work for years.

What to Consider When Buying A Whole House Fan?

If you’ve never purchased a whole house fan, you must actively search for the ones that meet most of your requirements and be mindful while doing so. 

Choosing the appropriate whole house fan for your requirements will shower you with several benefits, so it is worth the effort to educate yourself. And to further simplify your task, below are the primary factors to consider while purchasing for one of these fans!

  • Dimensions of Your Whole House Fan

When purchasing a whole house fan, selecting the appropriate size for your requirement is critical. Most of these fans are available in 25 cm, 30 inches, and 36 inches. 

They operate at a slower speed, which results in less noise. Generally, more giant fans utilize less energy, which may substantially benefit you.

  • Cubic Feet Per Minute Output

CFM (cubic feet per minute) is a commonly used unit of measurement for whole-house fans, referring to the quantity of air they can extract in a minute. 

The larger the fans, the higher the CFM rating. Therefore, if you reside in a large home, seek a large fan. 

If you’re unsure of the CFM rating for your fan, all you have to do is multiply the total floor space of your home by 3. For example, if your home is 1,000 sq ft, a 3,000 CFM fan will suffice.

  • Process of Installation

Installation of the fan is often relatively straightforward. If you want to install it quickly without cutting any attic beams, you can choose a direct drive variant. 

However, belt drive models may demand more effort and skill, but they operate more smoothly and quietly.

  • Decibel Level

Noise level is a critical consideration when searching for a whole house fan. If you wind up with a noisy fan, you will be unable to appreciate it, and the delight of maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home will be ruined by bothersome background noise.

When purchasing such a fan, make sure to read the manufacturer’s description, for if they made a quieter item, it would indicate so.

  • Amount of Power Consumed

Bear in mind that this fan must not consume an excessive amount of electricity. 

A well-designed whole house fan consumes around a fifth of the energy required by an air conditioning unit. These fans are powered by 15 to 37 horsepower motors (0.25 to 0.65 kW).

They use from 200 to 600 watts of electric power while operating at fast speeds. Typically, all of these details are given in the spec sheet.

  • Warranty Period

Typically, high-quality fans come with substantial warranty periods. 

The better ones include a ten-year warranty, so be sure to confirm this before purchasing. Nevertheless, you can still buy whole house fans with a three-year or five-year warranty period, respectively. 

These are an excellent choice, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about your fan for a quarter or half-decade. 

Ensure you thoroughly read the product descriptions and do not hesitate to contact the manufacturer for any further inquiries.

Our Top 6 Picks

While there are several factors to consider while looking for the best whole house fan, the process does not have to be complex or time-consuming. 

If you want to buy one of these, evaluate our top six selections available on the market:

1. QuietCool Whole House Fans

QuietCool-Whole-House-Fans

Homeowners interested in peaceful whole house aeration should seriously consider QuietCool’s Classic Series Whole-House Fan. This ducted device locates the direct-drive fans in the attic, sucking cold, fresh air into the home quietly.

The QC CL-4700 device is available in various sizes varying from 1,450 CFM to 7,000 CFM, making it suitable for residences ranging from 700 to over 3,100 square feet.

Whenever the fan is not on, the end of the duct closes with the aid of a vent. The vent comes equipped with gravity filters that prevent heat and cold air from exiting. 

The CL-4700 includes a remote used up to 90 feet away from the machine.

Highlights

  • Direct drive installation
  • Best overall fan due to functionality
  • It can be operated from 90 feet away.
  • Remote control included

2. Cool Attic Whole House Fan

This whole house fan is ideal for houses with attics of 1,600 square feet. Apart from providing the desired temperature, this 25-inch fan will also help you save money on your power cost.

The Cool Attic is designed to operate quietly and efficiently without disrupting the environment in your house. When installing it, keep in mind that this fan performs best with 7-11 square feet of net free exhaust vent space.

A fantastic feature of this whole house fan is that you can change the CFM between 3,200 and 4500. Also, depending on the size of the area to be chilled, the kit includes a fast/slow and off-wall switch.

This fan was created in the United States of America and includes a ten-year warranty, making it a long-term investment.

Highlights

  • Adjustable power output
  • Manufactured in the USA
  • It comes with a decade long warranty.

3. Quietcool Eco-Friendly Whole House Fan

Investing a bit more today will save you money over time. 

The QC ES-4700 is slightly more expensive than the industry’s other machines. The cordless direct-drive propellers used in this series are pretty quick. It is essential to note that the fan needs little to no upkeep.

The ES-4700 model is a ducted fan unit with a damp filter vent for temperature regulation and convenience. 

This model is available in capacities ranging from 1,400 CFM to 6,500 CFM and is designed to cool houses ranging from 600 square feet to more than 3,500 square feet.

It also includes a wall-mounted remote that allows for the operation of the fan from up to 95 feet away.

Highlights

  • Ducted Fan
  • Eco Friendly
  • Remote Included
  • Operational from up to 95 feet away

4. Air King Whole House Fan

Not everyone can or desire to dig into their walls and ceilings to install a whole house fan. Air King’s 20-inch entire house window fan is an intriguing option for those who do want to take the effort and get the best out of a whole house fan.

When placed in an upper-level window of a residence, this fan exhausts heated inside air. It substitutes it with clean air taken from open lower-level windows. It has three-speed options of 1,200, 1,400, and 1,700 CFM.

One of the most appealing features of this product is its adaptable installation cowl, which enables the fan to suit any window measuring between 26 and 37 inches in diameter. 

If the weather outside gets too stormy, have no fear—the Air-King is equipped with a Storm Guard that enables users to shut the window during adverse weather.

Highlights

  • Variable Speed
  • Comes with a storm guard
  • Easy to install

5. Tamarack Whole House Fan

Tamarack provides a whole house fan capable of cooling a 1500-square-foot area. Also, if you do not intend to use this fan constantly, you will enjoy the insulated shutters that close electronically and safeguard the fan while it is not in use. 

These doors will extend their lifespan and simplify your task in upkeep.

The fan has a capacity of 1100 CFM and is available in the following measurements: 15.78′′ Front Width: 25.65′′ Bumper Length: 22.6′′

The Tamarack whole house fan requires 75 watts and 117 volts to operate appropriately and draws 1.02 amps.

Since it weighs 24 pounds, this fan is easy to mount on walls and ceilings, requiring little maintenance over time. This device comes with a three-year guarantee that the buyer may renew at his discretion.

Highlights

  • Insulated door fans
  • Easy to install
  • Lightweight
  • It comes with a 3-year warranty, extendable by customer request.

6. TPI Whole House Fan

If you’re searching for a whole house fan that will last a long time and provide a high level of quality, the TPI is an excellent choice. 

TPI is a portable fan. Additionally, it includes shutters that allow you to operate the fan efficiently.

This product is relatively simple to clean and upkeep, so you won’t have to worry about that. Since TPI is a belted drive fan, it is pretty quiet and simple to install, ensuring that you are not bothered by background noise while enjoying your preferred temperatures.

With a 32-inch width, this one fits effortlessly into various locations and rooms. It operates on 125 volts and 7.1 amps and produces a maximum of 0.35 horsepower. This whole-house fan is armed with a 12-month warranty to keep your worries at bay.

Highlights

  • Portable and lightweight
  • Shutters included
  • Easy to maintain
  • It consists of a one-year warranty

Conclusion

All the fans above have been added to the list after prior research and keeping a few pointers in mind.

After accounting for all the benefits and critical pointers, it is safe to say that the whole house fans check almost all the boxes for being the ideal choice.

Hopefully, this guide will keep you cool through the summers. Happy shopping! 

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