electric roof vents

iampots · 03-25-2010, 09:50 AM

Is there a fire hazard with electrical thermostatically controlled roof vents? Someone told me whirly bird vents were safer.

DangerMouse · 03-25-2010, 09:59 AM

ANYthing electrical could be considered a 'fire hazard', but I don't think you need to worry if you choose them.
However....using 'whirly' vents is free.

DM

troubleseeker · 03-25-2010, 11:56 AM

I have never heard of any fires being attributed to power vents, but IMO they have always been way over hyped, and I try to avoid them. The motors in them generally do not last more than two summers; and there have been many studies that prove they use more energy to operate than they could possibly ever save. I'd go either whirlybird as suggested, or good old time proven soffit/ridge method. Cooler air in low/hot air out high........can't beat the laws of nature.

iampots · 03-25-2010, 12:08 PM

Thanks

xxPaulCPxx · 05-05-2010, 02:44 AM

"Whirlybirds" are the ugliest thing you could put on your roof. You could put a rusted out wrecked Yugo on your roof next to that vent and people would walk by and say "Man, that vent is ugly... I wonder how they got that car on the roof?"

Those vents don't last either - it's great when they squeak when the wind blows too. You'll loooove that. At least the motor is accessible if it needs to be replaced.

AaronB · 05-05-2010, 11:25 PM

Solar.

seeyou · 05-06-2010, 07:38 AM

This may be of interest:

http://www.galttech.com/research/hou...ation-cost.php

xxPaulCPxx · 05-06-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronB

Solar.

Solar, really? I'd like a cost justification on that. I see regular powered attic vents going for $70, while Solar vents go for $250.

How would solar pay back the $180?

AaronB · 05-06-2010, 09:26 PM

How much does it cost to get a licensed electrician and a licensed roofer out instead of just a roofer?

Many people claim that the it costs a lot to run an electric fan. Well does it or doesn't it?

xxPaulCPxx · 05-06-2010, 09:34 PM

I think on this site we are starting with the premise that the original poster - unless specificly stating otherwise - is going to be Doing It Yourself... ok that didn't quite work out speaking in the second hand, but you get my point.

I do agree that Solar is easy though, and that might be worth $180 all on it's own.

seeyou · 05-06-2010, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronB

How much does it cost to get a licensed electrician and a licensed roofer out instead of just a roofer?

Many people claim that the it costs a lot to run an electric fan. Well does it or doesn't it?

My research is telling me that it costs $2-$3/day to run a hardwired roof fan. That's more than I expected and, if true, makes the solar units look more attractive to me. But, I've had two homes with powered attic ventilation. In both cases, the fans continued to run long after the sun set. I wonder how much is being given up there with the solar powered units?

AaronB · 05-06-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxPaulCPxx

I think on this site we are starting with the premise that the original poster - unless specificly stating otherwise - is going to be Doing It Yourself... ok that didn't quite work out speaking in the second hand, but you get my point.

I do agree that Solar is easy though, and that might be worth $180 all on it's own.

Ok, I sometimes forget that this is DIY site. I post on many different forums. Sometimes people also come in here looking for general advice as well.

On that premise, I will look at it from a DIY point of view. As far as fan cost, we will go with your $70 & 250 figures, since those are decent average numbers.

$70 fan
Conduit (how much depends on the distance from the breaker and proficiency of installer
junction box
Conduit connectors
14-3 wire
various fasteners and wire nuts
Seems like about 120-150 bucks
tube of caulk
10-12 roofing nails
monthly electric bill
band aids and defibrillator for electrical burns (lol just kidding, i hope)
How many hours of installation aggravation?

$250 solar fan
10-12 roofing nails
tube of caulk
one hour install for a decent DIY'er

For the average DIY person, electrical work is not DIY. Most of us contractors tend to forget this, but 'tis true.

Let the masses decide.

I think the most important factor is CFM... you want to make sure you're turning the attic air over enough times a day.

Scuba_Dave · 05-06-2010, 11:05 PM

I mainly used one attic fan after it was dark
Once it cooled off at nite I'd run the fan to really cool the attic down
So with a solar fan I'd still want the ability to turn it on at nite
Or I would need a 2nd AC powered fan

AaronB · 05-06-2010, 11:10 PM

I still like big huge gable vents the best if at all possible.

Scuba_Dave · 05-06-2010, 11:19 PM

MIL's house has gable vents
Older house & has never had a fan
Keeps fairly cool up there, but I've never been up there on an extremely hot day

This house has 2 gable vents
But when they finished off the 2nd floor that virtually made them useless
Especially without soffit vents