Originally Posted By: jmurphy1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Richard I bought the equip at Home Depot and it has a 10 year warranty.
There is no switch and no way to turn the fan off - for example if you wanted to turn off the fan in the winter time. I guess you could turn it off by going on the roof and putting a cover over the solar panel.
I put a thermometer in the attic last week and I'm going to keep track of the temperature and see if the attic is any cooler.
The equipment will pay for itself in electricity savings. I'm guessing I save $1. per day but I don't know if that's accurate or note.
Originally Posted By: jmurphy1 This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Update:
Today I added a second solar panel. The solar panels are connected to each other in a series. The fan is now running MUCH faster and I think it's going to effectively cool off my attic. The fan speed is comparable to running a box fan at high speed. It was running at low speed before.
I've got $300 invested in the two panels and the fan.
Originally Posted By: dandersen This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I was looking at those in a trade ad I get.
Looks pricey at first glance.
You save on running electric I guess.
More sun, more heat, more fan speed.
By the way, running the ventilator in the winter is not a bad thing.
Attics are cold space.
Heated indoor air is wet and condenses on cold roofs. Ventilation is as, if not more important in the winter as summer.
Originally Posted By: rwand This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I think you will see more solar panel use as energy prices rise and the cost of solar comes down.
Just out of interest any opening in the attic such as plumbing vents which run through the attic, ceiling junction boxes, should be sealed to prevent warm house air in winter from being drawn into the attic. Yes even baseboards should be caulked.
I run a 45 watt (dc) solar panel which runs a 12 volt compressor to aerate my pond. I have seen the solar powered roof vents, and they would be great on calm sunny days, and become passive at night, so either way you win.
I believe costs for solar are approximately $10 per watt. Quite expensive and that is why I think wind power is catching on. More bang for the buck, except on becalmed days.
Raymond Wand
Alton, ON
-- The value of experience is not in seeing much,
but in seeing wisely. - Sir William Osler 1905
