I am going through the NACHI certification courses and I am completing my first mock inspection on my neighbor’s house. It’s a rental so he doesn’t know much about it. Gable roof, 100 yr old house or thereabouts in Pittsburgh, PA. The fan is in between the second floor and the attic. It appears to blow upwards into attic. Does it take air from main part of house into attic? Is it a cooling feature for the main house? Or for the attic? Thank you!
whole house fan …very popular before air conditioning…
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Yep, what James said.
Jim has it. Whole house fan not to confused with an attic fan, although it’s commonly referred to as such. If still in use, proper attic ventilation needs to be in place.
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Thanks all! There are two gable vents on one side (none on other side), and two roof cap vents as well. Sufficient? No attic access in this house unfortunately.
What they saidˆˆ It’s part of your required CPI reading. You must have skipped it or jumped right to mock inspections.
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Simon,
I have been carefully studying the standards of practice course, but that is the only one I have done so far. I have not skipped ahead and have been going in order. The four mock inspections are done before any of the advanced modules that go into each part of the house in more depth. I am posting on here to try to learn as I go through these mock inspections. Your support, instead of snark, would be appreciated.
-Matt
This is literally my first post on these forums, first question asked. If this is the reply I get when I post a good-faith question on these forums…ugh.
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There is nothing “advanced” about a whole-house fan, it is one of the basic things a HI needs to know. Like I said, it’s part of your CPI requirement. Mock inspections are required after you pass the final test of CPI courses. No need to argue, but be my guest. I tried to point you into the right direction. I will bet you still don’t know exactly how a whole-house fan was being used because nobody above explained it. This is why I pointed you where to find this info. But go ahead… tell me how I hurt your fragile feelings 
That will get you far in this industry indeed.
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Simon, you are incorrect. I’ll drop it after this, but so that you know, the order of education is:
- Pass the online inspector exam
- Join as an all-access member
- Complete the standards of practice course
- Complete the code of ethics course
- Submit four mock inspections
6-X. Take the advanced courses
I am new to this field. I work full-time in a different field but am considering a career change. My feelings aren’t hurt. I just don’t understand the point of gatekeeping this profession from someone who is trying to learn the right way. I’m starting my education. I know I have a lot to learn. I appreciate the feedback of all above. Hopefully it is okay that I will continue posting questions that may be obvious to others on these forums.
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I forgot to welcome you Matt! When I took the courses, there wasn’t a particular order to take them, but the 4 mocks were, as I thought, after I completed the basic curriculum. You had a legit question to ask because some inspectors rarely come across these units. Don’t be offended by post to your questions. Most all are well meaning to help you even though they may not seem that way.
Good luck with your studies!
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Thanks Thomas! I’ve been really impressed with the interNACHI education so far. I could post ten more things on these forums from my first mock inspection but maybe will wait 
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Go ahead and post your questions. You’re new, and there are many inspectors on this forum that will be willing to help you.
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I’m surprised with the education list you posted. Not sure why they would ask for 4 mock inspections if you don’t know what to look for. Maybe a curriculum mistake? @bgromicko1 ?
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I won’t speak for Ben/Nick, but I think the idea is that you could start doing inspections in most states legally after completing those requirements.
I actually like doing these mock inspections early on because it is bringing into sharp relief some of the areas I’m more/less proficient in.
Logging off for today. Thanks all.
It makes a lot of sense to start doing inspections without first learning how to do them! Oh yes!
The whole-house fan is covered here:
I always thought the 4 mock inspections were the last thing to do before You were done with the training…However it was a fairly long time ago when I joined and Im sure things have changed…Feel free to ask all the questions Youd like sir but just check Your feelings at the door when You come in…some of those other guys can be brutul… 
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That is the way it was for me Jim. Had to take the SOP, Ethics, required CPI courses and 4 mock inspections to get the CPI designation. You could take the exam at anytime, but you had to complete all requirements for CPI.
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Crack windows in the bedrooms, fire up the whole house fan. It will be a blissful sleep on a warm summer night with the cool air blowing across your bed with the white noise of the whole house fan.
I still have one in my house today. Best to find a way to seal it up when not in use because the louvers will allow a large percentage of your conditioned air to escape into the attic. I suppose this is why they are no longer popular.
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and never…Never,turn it on if You have a fireplace or wood stove lit…
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