I’ve been at my Mother’s for a few months while her broken arm heals, and we had quite a shock when we received the May electricity bill. It was almost $100 more than April’s bill! Although May had been unusually warm, it wasn’t the air conditioner because it’s broken. We couldn’t figure out what was different, so I started reading the meter and conducting tests. Turns out it was the attic fan. My brother, the electrician, couldn’t believe it, but there it was — I had proof!
Naturally, I began thinking about replacing the old attic fan with a solar attic fan. The good ones are expensive, but with the old attic fan costing almost $100/month for electricity, it won’t take long to recoup the cost. And a newer, more efficient installation could even save more on air conditioning costs.
After researching and reading user reviews, I decided that the solar powered attic fan by Natural Light Systems had the highest quality and value. The engineering design features that impressed me the most are:
- Highest quality materials and construction. 14 gauge aircraft grade aluminum; the flashing and shroud are seamless ensuring weather tight installations. Stainless steel animal protection screen. Stainless steel hardware throughout. Powder coated to withstand any environment. Fifty year Neutral Cure silicone bonds the flashing to the roof.
- Ability to change the angle of the solar panel. Some of the other designs had the solar panel mounted flush against the fan. The Natural Light model has a mounting bracket that lets you optimize the angle of the solar panel for maximum sun exposure. You might want to change the angle for different times of the year or if your roof doesn’t face south.
- Minimize the temperature around the solar panel. This minimizes power output losses as the temperature increases. Natural Light does this in two ways: The entire unit is a neutral gray color to prevent it acting like a heat sink. Because the mounting bracket raises the solar panel up away from the fan, an envelope of cooler air can circulate around the entire solar panel.
- Easy Installation. Assembled and ready to install. All necessary installation hardware included. No electrical wiring, no expensive electrician and city permits. (Well, someone does have to climb up on the roof and cut a hole. See the video below.)
- 25-Year Warranty. Because of the high quality materials and construction, Natural Light Systems is able to offer a 25-year warranty on the solar panel, housing, and motor.
There are two models of Natural Light solar attic fans to choose from:
- If your attic is less than 1,200 sq. ft., you can use the small 10-watt model which exhausts up to 850 CFM. Click here to see today’s price.
- If your attic is larger than 1,200 sq. ft., you will need one 20-watt solar attic fan for every 1,800 sq. ft. The 20-watt model exhausts up to 1,275 CFM per fan. Click here to see today’s price.
Terrific solar attic fan
by Ransford Asamoah, MSc, RN., MSN/MHA(c), U.S.A.
Read both user reviews, and manufacturer manuals of many solar powered attic fans before settling on the 20 watts natural light solar fan in April, 2010. Product is of solid compact build, installation by my roofer took 20 minutes; product works really well, and has significantly brought my attic temperature down, and reduced demand on my air conditioner unit.
Fan speed directly relates to the sun’s intensity. At ambient temperature of 85*F, my attic temperature could reach 107*F. With the natural light solar attic fan, I am recording between 10 and 16 degrees less (depending on the humidity)in attic temperature.
With the impending summer Atlanta sunshine and heat, the product would continue to be a worthwhile investment.
Solar Attic Fan Installation Video
For tips on installing a solar attic fan, check out this video from This Old House.
There are two models of solar attic fans to choose from:
- If your attic is less than 1,200 sq. ft., you can use the small 10-watt model which exhausts up to 850 CFM. Click here to see today’s price.
- If your attic is larger than 1,200 sq. ft., you will need one 20-watt solar attic fan for every 1,800 sq. ft. The 20-watt model exhausts up to 1,275 CFM per fan. Click here to see today’s price.
