How Do You Install A Roof-Mounted Attic Fan?
How Do You Install A Roof-Mounted Attic Fan?
A roof-mounted attic fan is a great way to help keep your home cool and comfortable during the hot summer months. Installing a fan in your attic can help circulate the air and keep the temperature down. Here are some tips on how to install a roof-mounted attic fan:
1. Choose Where to Install the Attic Fan
The first step in installing a roof-mounted attic fan is determining where it will be installed. You should put the attic fan around 2 feet below the roof crest.
It is also recommended to position the fan in the horizontal plane around the center of the roof. If the attic fan is installed on one side or gable, ventilation will be disproportionately preferred on that side.
Furthermore, you should keep the attic fan as far away from any passive vents as possible.
Putting an attic fan close to a passive vent will draw in air from the passive vent, interfering with the blowing out of hot attic air.
2. Drill a Screw through the Center
The best strategy for effective attic fan placement is to find the region in the attic.
With a pencil and measuring tape, mark the precise center between the rafters. Drill a screw through the sheathing and the shingles to the outside so that the screw is peeking through the shingles on the outside after you’ve indicated the center.
It’s time to go up on the roof now. Look for the screw you just drove through the shingles.
3. Pencil the Attic Fan Outline
Take the paper template that comes with the attic fan and cut it out. If it did not come with an installation template, you may construct your own by penciling the contour of the fan onto cardboard.
Place the template so that it is perfectly centered on the screw. Now, trace the template onto the shingles, creating a flawless outline of the attic fan.
4. Cut out The Attic Fan Hole
It’s time to start your reciprocating saw by drilling a starting hole in the roof. To create the hole, use a half-inch wood bore bit. Wearing eye protection is suggested before making any cuts on the roof, owing to the possibility of flying wood particles.
Insert the reciprocating saw blade into the starting hole and cut around the pencil-drawn outline.
If you cut into the attic rafters or trusses, you may cause structural damage to your home.
When you come close to the end of the cut, grip the screw to keep the cut out from falling into the attic. If you do not keep the cutout, it may cause damage to your ceiling drywall.
5. Prep for Dry Fitting
Use a flat instrument, such as a pry bar, to open up the shingles surrounding the hole where the attic fan flashing will go before dry fitting it.
If any nails are obstructing the attic fan flashing, now is the time to remove them.
You may use the reciprocating saw to remove any nails in the way by cutting below the shingles.
6. Fasten the Attic Fan to the Roof
When pleased with the fit, attach the attic fan to the roof. Apply a bead of external caulking to the underside of the attic fan before proceeding.
If you have limited access to the attic, you may wish to secure the thermostat or junction box to the rafter first.
After you’ve positioned the attic fan correctly, fasten a few screws or roofing nails to the attic fan flashing.
7. Apply Exterior Caulking or Roof Sealant
Apply outside caulking to the top of the nail or screw heads as well as below the neighboring shingles once it has been fixed.
You don’t want to caulk behind the bottom flashing because you want water to escape.
8. Plug In or Wire the Attic Fan
Consult the attic fan’s wiring diagram for details, but in general, connect the black to black, white to white, and ground wire to the green screw. Connect it to an outlet within the attic if it is a plug-in.
9. Secure & Test Thermostat
If you haven’t already, you should also tie the thermostat to a rafter or truss. Check that the thermostat’s air entrance, a tiny hole on the rear, is not clogged.
You may change the temperature setting on the thermostat to select the temperature at which the attic fan will turn on. To test the attic fan, place a lamp near the thermostat, which will warm up, and switch on the fan. Please do not test the thermostat with a lighter or a flame.
