Can Whole house fans cause mold?

Many homeowners that have a whole house fan love running them when they get out of the shower to exhaust all that steam and humidity that builds up and can cause mold.

What are the negatives of a whole house fan?

What are the disadvantages of a whole house fan? While a whole house fan is known for saving money on the cooling bill, it can possibly lead to a higher heating bill in the winter, especially for older whole house fans. An older house fan is a perfect escape for the air you are paying to heat in the wintertime.

Are whole house fans healthy?

Whole house fans are a more natural solution for whole-house ventilation. Whole house fans can provide air changes anywhere between 30-60 times in an hour. This keeps the air in the room fresher and healthier. As they cool the house by bringing in fresh air from outside, they can also be friendly for the environment.

Do attic fans cause mold?

By moving dry air into and through your attic from outside, that moisture that would otherwise accumulate in your attic is dispersed and dried out, preventing things like dangerous mold and rot. Surprisingly, the most important time to run your attic fan to prevent mold is in the winter.

Do whole house fans need to be cleaned?

Since whole house fans move a lot of air, they should be cleaned regularly. Whenever you are attempting to clean a whole house fan, safety is key.

Difference Between Whole House Fans

Do whole house fans bring in dust?

Some types of whole-house fans bring air from the outside and at the same time push air out of your house. In these cases, it makes sense to have a filter, as the outdoor air could contain contaminants, especially dust or, if you live in a metropolitan area, exhaust fumes.

Do whole house fans bring in pollen?

People who suffer from allergies should not use whole house fans. Since whole house fans bring outdoor air inside your home, anyone with pollen allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions should not use a whole house fan to cool their homes, especially if they live in an area with heavy pollen and/or pollution.

How do you stop mold from growing in your attic?

Do fans help prevent mold?

Does Your Fan Help Prevent Mold? Fans indeed reduce a room's moisture levels by improving air circulation. Mold needs moisture to thrive. So, by using a fan, you make it harder for fungus to grow in your home.

How long should a whole house fan run?

For best results, run your whole house fan for at least 10 minutes first thing in the morning to bring a cool breeze through the house and into the attic. This will expel any hot stale air buildup from the night before. Then, close windows, doors and the blinds on the sunny side of your home.

What's the difference between an attic fan and a whole house fan?

In a nutshell, whole house fans are designed to run after sundown, using cool night air to ventilate and cool your entire living space. Attic fans are designed to run on hot sunny days to clear super-heated air from your attic. Both can be worthwhile, but they do different jobs.

What do I need to know about buying a whole house fan?

To get the proper whole house fan size, you should first calculate the square footage inside your home, excluding the basement, attic, and garage. Multiply the square footage by 3. For instance, if your home is 2,200 square feet, you'll need a fan that can move 6,600 CFM of air per minute or more.

What is the advantage of a whole house fan?

Luckily, Whole House Fans do a lot more than just cool your house. One of their greatest benefits is that they whisk away all the pollutants trapped in dormant, stale indoor air and replace them with fresh outdoor air, dramatically improving the air purity and health in your home.

Does a whole house fan use a lot of electricity?

A whole house fan uses 200-700 watts while an air conditioner uses 2,000-5,000 watts. It will cost 90% less to run a whole house fan than the central air. For example, if your bill is $150 for a month, using a whole house fan will allow you to save up to $135 a month!

How do you seal a whole house fan?

How much does it cost to remove a whole house fan?

Installing a new house fan averages $580 to $1,270, including labor and materials. Replacing your whole house fan is comparable in price, but it can be slightly more expensive when you factor in the removal and disposal costs. The entire process, including materials, labor, and removal, averages $700 to $2,000.

Can a fan spread mold?

Keep It Dry

Do NOT use fans if mold may already exist; a fan will spread the mold spores. Try to keep the humidity in your home below 40 percent. In moisture-prone areas, eliminate carpets or choose carpets of man-made fibers. Insulate to reduce potential for condensation on cold surfaces.

How do you keep your house from getting mold in the winter?

Can low airflow cause mold?

Poor ventilation can lead to mold growth. If you combine moisture with restricted air circulation you will create a humid and moist environment, the ideal environment for mold to grow and thrive. Look for signs of mold growth, such as black, white or brown spots appearing on walls or a musty odor.

Is mold in attic common?

Mold in attics is very common and can usually be dealt with quickly and effectively. No need to panic and treat your home as if it's uninhabitable and beyond repair. Attic mold is caused by moisture and mildew issues.

What temperature does attic mold grow?

Mold Living Conditions

Mold needs certain environmental factors to live. These include: A temperature between 41 degrees and 140 degrees. Food, which includes the wood in your attic.

How do I know if I have mold in my attic?

Even if your attic is well lit, bring a flashlight so you can see clearly in dimmer areas. The most obvious sign of mold is a discoloration on the walls, floor, ceiling, piping, or other item in the room. Even old boxes and books that have gotten wet can sprout mold, but these items can easily be thrown away outside.

Should you put filters on exhaust fans?

Filtering exhaust fans is kind of like an exercise in futility. The dust has already entered your computer case, and all the exhaust filter does is help KEEP it in the case. The intake fans are the ones that need to be filtered.

When should you use a whole house fan?

Only use your fan when the outdoor air is cooler than your indoor air. Make sure your A/C is off when you run the fan to avoid wasting energy. We recommend running the whole house fan all night. The goal is to cool your entire house down, not just the air.

Where should a whole house fan be installed?

Although it really depends on the home, the whole house fan works best when you install it close to the center of your home. The best place is an unobstructed hallway. In order to determine which spot is best in your home, go to your attic and choose the attic joists nearest to the center.