THIS BLOG IS ABSOLUTELY TONGUE IN CHEEK AND TO BE JUST A HAIR SARCASTIC. JUST SO'S YOU KNOW'S...
When installing attic fans, there are some things that are important. Let's call these The Three Amigos.
1. Thinking outside the box
2. Position
3. Consistency
4. Professionalism
In order to improve ventilation in attic spaces, many people choose the old and reliable attic fan. They are thermostatically controlled and can be set to come on and turn off automatically. The factory usually sets the thermostat to turn on the fan at about 110F. It will turn itself off when the temperature reaches 100F.
This house is a very long, one-level ranch.
The attic space was very hot.
There is a small gable vent at each end. The one gable vent is visible here.
This savvy homeowner installed the first attic fan many decades ago.
Okay, it may have been done before the popular thermostat, and it may be half of an interior fan, not exactly intended to be used in the attic space, but I said "savvy," and I mean savvy! And in case you missed this in the first photo, here is a close up of the savvy wiring.
Thinking out of the box, and actually WIRING OUT OF THE BOX!, this savvy installer professionally thought to keep the wiring connections cool by putting them in front of the fan so that air can be drawn over them, cooling them as they work!
Notice how this fan is positioned a on the second truss rafter BEFORE the gable vent. That's a good four feet! Okay, the air isn't efficiently exactly blown out of the vent opening, but this savvy installer was just getting started.
Since this is such a long house, and therefore a long and very hot attic space, a couple more fans were installed.
This is where the consistency comes in!
Notice the same wiring philosophy!
These consistent connections are cooled simply and wonderfully in the air that flows from gable vent to fan! And both fans!
And, again, thinking out of the box, the savvy installer did not overload any circuit with any connection!
The first fan's electrical power came from the bathroom vent nearby! The second, on the left above, came from the light in the hallway ceiling below. And the third, on the right above, from a pot light in the kitchen ceiling. I finally found it by moving the insulation away to verify this outstanding connection.
In contrast to the fan wiring and keeping it cool, apparently the connection with the kitchen light needed to be kept warm. Professionalism at its best, and knowing what to do and when.
And, well, these three amigos were so rusted they didn't actually turn, but when they are all operating I bet the ventilation in this attic space really kicks up the dust!
My recommendation: when you see something so out of the box as this, demonstrating such incredible consistency and professionalism, it is important to write about it, shouting, as it were, from under the roof tops! This electrician should be positioned in the "Who's Who" of electricians! Or maybe the anti "Who's Who"...
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