Installing attic fan vent

You may be able to skip this step if your existing vent is the correct size for your new attic fan. If not, you'll need to install a new shutter. Start by using a claw hammer or screwdriver to remove the fixings securing the old shutter and remove it from the wall. Once you've removed the shutter, you need to measure the vent hole. Place the new shutter over the existing hole and use a spirit level to make sure it's straight. If there is wooden framing around the existing hole, use a saw to cut it away and set it aside for later.

Using a saber saw, carefully follow the lines of the smaller square and cut away the wall material to create a new vent hole. It's best to wear protective eyewear and a mask for this task because it can create a lot of dust. Once you've created your new vent hole, place the shutter on your original guidelines and use wood screws to attach it to the wall. If you removed any wooden framing, reinstall it around the new shutter for extra support.

Finally, seal the entire perimeter with caulk. Installing a plywood mounting panel stops the fan blades from hitting the wall and reduces the chance of damaging the wall when you install it. Draw a circle the same size as your attic fan on a plywood panel and cut it out with a saber saw.

Many attic fans come with a template to help you cut your mounting panel to the correct dimensions. Screw the fan's mounting brackets to your mounting panel, taking care to ensure that the fan is the right way up.

Use a hammer to nail the plywood panel to the framing on the gable wall. Finally, you'll need to wire the attic fan to an available electrical circuit in your attic following the manufacturer's instructions.

Switch the power off at the breaker before you start. It's also important to make sure that you don't overload the circuit by installing too many fixtures. Wiring your fan incorrectly could cause a fire hazard, so it's best to ask an expert to help with this step unless you're confident you know how to do it.

You can place attic fans in the roof or in the gable wall inside your attic space. If you want to place a fan in the roof, you should position it between the rafters.

Ideally, you should place your new attic fan over one of your existing vents, cutting a larger hole if necessary. This saves you the time and inconvenience of creating a new vent. Often, attic vents do a decent job of keeping your attic cool and ventilated without any need for an attic fan.

Proper attic ventilation is a critical component of a healthy home. Airflow through the attic space helps to regulate temperature inside the house, and reduces moisture that could lead to mold, damaged roof shingles, and ice dams. But, before diving into the types of roofing vents and their cost, it helps to understand how proper attic ventilation works. The attic needs a balanced ventilation system with as much air entering through the intake vents as leaves through the exhaust vents.

Ideally, the intake vents are installed along the edges of the roof, at the lowest point in the attic, in the soffits. The exhaust vents are installed along the ridge, the highest point of the attic. This causes a natural stack effect, or continuous cycle, where when the warm moist air rises, it pulls cooler, dryer air in behind it. In the heat of the summer, this exchange cools the attic, which contributes to a cooler living space and lower energy bills. In the wintertime, when outside temperatures are colder than the temperature in the attic, moisture buildup results.

In a properly ventilated attic, though, the moisture escapes with the warmer air as it draws in the colder, outside air. And, with adequate attic insulation , the cold has little effect on the living space below. Fortunately, your home will tell you if its attic lacks a balanced ventilation system. A few signs include:. According to Gregory, there are two types of exhaust vents for attics—static and powered.

A static vent is basically a hole strategically placed to allow warm air to escape. They include ridge vents , that run along the length of the roof ridge, box-style cap vents , or turbine vents. A powered vent includes a fan. When the fan is securely mounted, carry it over to the vent and nail the plywood into the studs on each side.

Make sure the fan is centered over the vent, with the back of the fan facing in toward the attic. To learn how to install an attic fan on your roof, scroll down! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings.

Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Things You'll Need. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Measure the distance between the studs on the left and right side of your vent. Use a tape measure to get an accurate measurement. Trace the circular body of your attic fan onto the center of the plywood. If they did, you can trace that instead.

Use a reciprocating saw to cut out the circle you traced. A reciprocating saw is a handheld power saw with a blade that rapidly moves in and out of objects as it cuts them. To cut out the circle, drill a pilot hole in the center of the circle so you have a starting point for the saw. Lay the plywood on a flat surface and line the fan up over the hole you cut out.

Nail the plywood into the studs on each side of the gable vent. When you position the plywood and fan over the vent, the back of the fan should be facing you and the front of the fan should be facing toward the vent. Center the fan over the vent before you nail the plywood to the studs. Once the fan is centered, nail the plywood into the studs to secure the fan over the vent.

It might be helpful to have someone holding the fan while you hammer in the plywood.