Ceiling fans (how much, house, Lowes)

[blisterpeanuts]

I need to put in some ceiling fan/lights in a couple of rooms and also one in the patio. I got a Hunter for the bedroom, but for the patio I have my eye on a $23 42" item from Walmart. But it doesn't say indoor/outdoor on the box. Will the Arizona weather really ruin a ceiling fan within a year or two? I figure if it lasts me 3-4 years it's good enough. I can't afford a $100 fan at this time. Any advice?

[crystalys]

Polyurethane the blades and you should be alright for a few years. We did this with an indoor fan that we put out on our covered patio on a previous house that we owned and it was just fine. Make sure you flush mount it and the "skirting" around the ceiling should protect the fan from the occasional strong wind debris that gets blown around. Other than sweeping off the blades and the motor housing once in a while, a less expensive indoor fan should do ok.

[Master Shake]

Most likely, the less expensive indoor fans will not last very long outdoors. The blowing dust can easily work it's way into the motor housing and clog things up. Fans that are designed for outdoor use have much better air filters to prevent dust buildup.

[blisterpeanuts]

OK thanks for the advice. Have installed a polyurethaned fan and will see how long it lasts.

Now I have another question. Lowes is advertising a "house fan" to install in the attic for about $240. Do these things really make a difference in the summer? My attic was about 135 this summer, but the ceiling is insulated to some extent, so it's not clear how much impact a fan would have on cooling bills.

[wit-nit]

It has a big impact on cooling the attic, which in turn puts less pressure on your AC system, which in turn saves you a lot of money down the line.
BTW those attics usually get up to 165-180 in the heat of summer.

[Bummer]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

Now I have another question. Lowes is advertising a "house fan" to install in the attic for about $240. Do these things really make a difference in the summer? My attic was about 135 this summer, but the ceiling is insulated to some extent, so it's not clear how much impact a fan would have on cooling bills.

I had a roof mounted Solar Powered Exhaust Fan installed about 4 plus years ago and the savings in a/c has paid for the installation a few times over and there's no added energy expense.

Go for it, Blisterpeanuts!

[Master Shake]

Originally Posted by blisterpeanuts

Now I have another question. Lowes is advertising a "house fan" to install in the attic for about $240. Do these things really make a difference in the summer? My attic was about 135 this summer, but the ceiling is insulated to some extent, so it's not clear how much impact a fan would have on cooling bills.

Is that the same thing as the vented aluminum balls on the roof (slightly larger than a basket ball in size)? If it is what I am thinking of, then they are a good idea. They utilize the heat within the attic to turn the blades (instead of electricity), which helps vent some of the heat out of the attic. If it is just a large box fan mounted on the side of your attic, although it should still help, it probably won't make too much of a difference.

Another thing you might want to consider related to attic heating is a product called Techshield. It is much more expensive than 1-2 fans (and would probably take a few years just to break even), but it can considerably cut down on your energy use -- especially during the summer.

[motormaker]

Originally Posted by Master Shake

Is that the same thing as the vented aluminum balls on the roof (slightly larger than a basket ball in size)? If it is what I am thinking of, then they are a good idea. They utilize the heat within the attic to turn the blades (instead of electricity), which helps vent some of the heat out of the attic. If it is just a large box fan mounted on the side of your attic, although it should still help, it probably won't make too much of a difference.

Another thing you might want to consider related to attic heating is a product called Techshield. It is much more expensive than 1-2 fans (and would probably take a few years just to break even), but it can considerably cut down on your energy use -- especially during the summer.

No, they are not the same. The ones you descibed sound like the ones that only work when there is a breeze or wind blowing. IMO they look ugly and in the winter you see many of them covered with a plastic bag because they suck heat out of the attic when you want to keep it in.

I think this is what bummer was talking about or some other brand. Google solar attic fans for more info.

http://www.solaratticfans.com/