Gable mounted solar attic fan doing nothing "going green?"

Here is a common sight during our energy audits. Someone had the foresight to know that removing hot, stagnant air from the attic would lower energy costs, especially a solar powered one like pictured here. Unfortunately, the energy expert that installed this fan had no concept of fluid dynamics which dictates most of the air drawn into the fan is coming from the wide open vent right next to it. Because of this, virtually no air is being drawn from the far end of the attic meaning the installation was futile and waste of solar tax credits. Do you really think 20 watts of power can exhaust an attic?
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Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• attic fan
• attic venting
• Horizon Energy Systems
• gable fan
• gabel fan
• hot attic

[sharkcloud]

Question, does this mean that the fan is sucking air coming from that open vent? But the fan is blowing outwards. How is that possible? Please help me understand this. As i have the same setup, double gable vents and would want to install an exhaust fan.

[nrgsaver]

Negative pressure is greatest just behind the fan. If you want to exhaust air from the attic there should be no openings next to or even near the fan. This includes roof vents or especially a ridge vent.

[HomeEnergyDoctors]

I love that you showed this. I find these kind of common mistakes all the time on our audits.