An electric attic fan can be an excellent alternative to your air conditioner. It can cool down your living space whenever the outdoor air is cooler than your home’s air. You can also use an attic fan to get rid of the heat that tends to build up in the attic during the summer. While the fan will help you reduce your air conditioning costs, it will need maintenance just like everything mechanical to prevent problems and prolong its life.

Here’s what you need to know about attic fan maintenance.

How to Maintain Your Attic Fan

The attic fan is usually located in a heavily insulated space. As a result, it’s hard to access. Fortunately, you don’t have to perform regular maintenance.

Proper attic fan maintenance requires you to focus on three critical components:

• oil ports
• fan shutters
• fan blades

The oil ports help a whole-house fan motor operate smoothly. Lubricate them every few years.

The fan shutters open to expel hot air from your home. They, along with the fan blades, tend to accumulate grime and dust over time. Make sure you clean them every few years.

Clean Your Roof Vents Annually

The vents in your attic also play an essential role in ensuring your fan functions efficiently. If they’re blocked, the fan will have to work harder than necessary. This could cause unnecessary wear on the motor in addition to increasing your energy costs. Avoid this by cleaning leaves, twigs, and dirt from your vents every year.

It’s also important to ensure that your attic venting is big enough for the capacity of your fan. That creates a balance between the exhaust and intake air. As a rule of thumb, every 750 cubic feet per minute of fan capacity needs one square foot net free venting area.

With proper maintenance, your attic fan can last for 10 years or even more. If you need more information on attic fan maintenance, contact us at Powers Heating & Air. We help Peachtree City homeowners with all their home comfort needs.