Many of us opt to use our attics for a variety of purposes; some might use it for the storage of precious belongings, while others might use it as a spare bedroom or a workshop. Whatever the case, during those hot summer months, the attic is the first place that is attacked by that relentless sunshine. This not only causes structural damage to your home but also makes it extremely uncomfortable for your belongings in storage or for using the space to inhabit.
Fortunately, though, a solar attic fan is a remarkably eco-friendly way of cooling your attic space while also saving on your electricity bill. The technology behind this solar attic fan is simple. It works by ejecting the sun-heated air and allowing cool air to enter. The motor of a solar attic fan is powered by photovoltaic solar panels and has enough force to push that hot air out while replacing it with cooler
air.
Not only are these amazing devices easy to install, but they will also protect your home from damage and save money for you on your utilities. Furthermore, the solar attic fan does not require any complicated electrical wiring, nor does it harm the build of your attic’s structure.
Therefore, with all these great aspects in mind, we have prepared the following ten best solar attic fans/roof vents, after having them thoroughly reviewed.
Editor’s Picks
The following is a sneak peek at our top 3 favorite solar attic fan and roof vents.
The Amtrak Solar Attic Fan is our personal choice of deserving the best overall product award. It comes with a fully functioning, high-efficiency blade, enclosed within a 14-inch fan housing. This allows
it to be versatile, as it is suitable not only for your home attic but also for a greenhouse, shed, garage, cabin, RV, or more. This product’s exceptionality is proved by their confidence; Amtrak offers an incredulous 25-year warranty. Their pride in their product has rubbed off on us, and we are true believers in its efficacy.
With this solar attic fan ventilation system, iLIVING HYBRID has definitely outdone itself. Their product is deserving of the best performance rating, as it comes with functions and features that make it stand out. This ventilation system offers a large 14-inch blade with the products’ materials being made of high quality and durable aluminum, nylon, fiber aluminum, and stainless steel. In addition, it comes with an adjustable thermostat that is built-in. The brushless motor technology it has allows it to be silent, with a mere 40 decibels. As if this was not enough, it also offers the option of ordering an AC/DC system to keep it powered up 24 hours a day.
Eco House saw a missing aspect in the solar attic fan for the home, and this was the great price/great quality niche. Their air conditioning ventilation system is perfect for any attic space or roofs. But it does not stop there, this model can be suitable for various other enclosures, such as boats, as well. It is not only simple to install but also has a nice glossy finish and an admirable 11.6 cubic feet of air per minute, helping limit the heat and moisture exposure for your home, all at a wonderfully low cost.
How Do Solar Attic Fans Work?
Talk of any renovation to your roof or attic space immediately conjures fears of lengthy building works, expensive materials and man hours, and obtrusive alterations to your living space. Thankfully, none of these are the case when it comes to solar attic fans. Let’s look at how solar attic fans work, so that your fears can be allayed and you, the buyer, can continue your search with all the information you need to make an informed purchase.
There are two main components to a solar attic fan, the fan itself, and the solar panel which powers it. Solar attic fans are versatile, and can be installed into any surface (think of a boat, RV, shed, greenhouse, wall or roof). They’re fairly easy to install, too, and can be done DIY. All you need to do is to cut the appropriate size hole in the surface you’re installing the fan into, and then feed the fan body through, mounting the solar panel to the outside and angling it to face the sun. These fans are designed to fit snuggly into the hole, so that they do not affect the insulation and weatherproofing of roofs or walls.
Once powered by the solar panel, the fan works as any other fan does, recycling the air inside the room and thus naturally cooling it down, reducing internal humidity, and keeping the air fresh. Some of these solar attic fans work only during daylight hours, when its panel is receiving sunlight, whilst others come with built-in batteries allowing for them to operate day and night.
But how does the solar panel power the fan in the first place? When exposed to sunlight, the silicon solar cells contained within the panel’s waterproof frame undergo a physical and chemical reaction (known as the ‘photovoltaic effect’), during which they generate volts of electricity thanks to the cyclical displacement of electrons. This electricity is then fed to the fan (and/or battery) by wires. Some solar attic fans have the solar panel integrated right into the fan housing, whilst others require separate mounting/installation.
Pros and Cons of Solar Attic Fans
Let’s take a quick look at the fundamental pros and cons associated with solar attic fans.
Pros:
- Cooler, less humid living/storage conditions. Simple though they are, solar attic fans provide an invaluable service. Attics, greenhouses, garden sheds and other rooms can get incredibly hot during the summer months – making living or storage conditions unbearable. These fans are a quick, easy solution to that problem.
- Free electricity and green energy. Renewable energy products like these produce infinite free electricity, good both for the wallet and the environment!
- Durable. Solar panels as a rule are incredibly durable (they have to be, since they’re exposed to all sorts of weather). Some of these solar attic fans come with 25 year warranties!
- Quiet. Since solar products require no noisy fuel-fed generators or motors in order to function efficiently and effectively, these solar attic fans are quiet. This means that even if your attic is used as a bedroom, whoever’s sleeping in there can sleep peacefully, without being rudely awoken by the fan.
Cons:
- Expensive. Whilst you’ll save heaps on your energy bills going forward, the initial cost of these fans is very high, outpricing some people’s budgets.
- Sunlight dependent. Of course, as with any solar product, these attic fans require consistent exposure to direct sunlight in order to charge and therefore function. What’s good, however, is that the heat in your attic is going to be highest (and thus the need for a fan greatest) on days of bright, hard sunlight, thus your fans should rarely underperform.
- Installation difficulties. Whilst some of these fans are fairly easy to install, others can be quite complicated for the layperson.
Best Solar Powered Attic Fan Reviewed
The following are the best ten attic space ventilation systems currently found in the marketplace. Browse through these great choices and pick the one that fits your tastes best.
#1. Amtrak Solar Vent Powerful 50-Watt Galvanized Steel, Solar Attic Fan
- Brand: Amtrak
- High efficiency fan blade
- Numerous Applications
- High Torque Motor
- Free Thermostat upon request
The powerful 50-Watt solar-powered attic fan manufactured by the company Amtrak has made a favorable impression on us. Aside from the fact that Amtrak is a well-respected company in the home air conditioning industry, their latest product catering to energy-saving cooling systems is worthy of praise.
Their crystalline solar panel’s powers their 7-fan, 50 Watt ventilation system. In addition, Amtrak’s 14-inch fan size has been tested to work in a room with a total size of a whopping 2,250 sq. feet. This makes it more than enough for any room in your house, including your attic, garage, cabin, RV, among countless others.
One can also request Amtrak to ship a free thermostat along with the solar attic fan/roof vent. The thermostat is necessary for reading temperatures and is also built by an American company called Selco, which prides itself on building quality temperature devices.
Pros:
- Great for large areas
- 25-year warranty
- Durable steel construction
- Low noise
Cons:
- Complicated install for the layman
#2. iLIVING HYBRID Ready Smart Solar Roof Attic Exhaust Fan
- Brand: iLIVING
- Color: Black
- Smart thermostat control 65-130f with enable/disable feature
- IP68 waterproof brushless motor
- 1 selling ventilation fan
The iLIVING company is now offering us the iLIVING HYBRID solar roof attic fan that is an exceptional product within its niche in the industry. What stands out for us is its ability to cool rooms that are as large as 2000 square feet, all the while working in conjunction with your HVAC home system to further bring down the humidity, as well as the temperature, through decent airflow. This amounts to huge savings on your utility bills.
The awesome features available with this product include but are not limited to a polycrystalline solar panel that is a mere 20 Watts but works great on a sunshiny day. Users can also opt to adjust the solar panel’s viewpoint by up to 45 degrees, enabling you to fully capture the sun’s most powerful rays, for a nice airflow.
This product also works well at night due to its versatility of switching from solar power to that of your electrical grid.
Pros:
- Ready to install from package
- Adjustable solar panel
- Backup AC power
Cons:
- Weak solar panel
#3. ECO-WORTHY Solar Powered Fan Solar Venting Stainless Steel Solar Roof Fan Vent
- Brand: Eco-Worthy
- Color: Silver
- Cost-Saving & Affordable
- Powerful & Built-in Battery
- Well-Made Material
- Easy Installation
Eco-Worthy is another company that belongs to this list of the best solar attic fans, as it is respected for its well made products. This solar attic ventilation system stands out by its durable design. The housing units, as well as the fans are made of solid stainless steel, ensuring its ability to stand up to the toughest of the elements.
Even moisture will not corrode these stainless steel beauties. Their quality is a testament to Eco-Worthy’s reputable name. A noteworthy feature of this product is its fan’s capacity. The blades circulate at a dazzlingly rate of 500 cubic feet per minute. It also packed with a reserve fan blade that can create a push-pull effect for even faster temperature raising.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Quck install with pre-drilled mounts
- Backup rechargeable battery
Cons:
- Not for large spaces
#4. GBGS Solar Powered Exhaust Fan AC Power Backup, Built-in Thermostat Switch
- Brand: GBGS
- 2 Ways Power Supply
- Quite and waterproof brushless DC motor
- Adjustable Solar Panel
- Built-in Thermostat Switch, Power on
Our choice for to include the GBGS Solar Powered Exhaust Fan with an AC Power Backup in the top 10 is well deserved. During those days with ample sunshine, this product’s performance is above par, but this is not where its abilities end. Even on days when it is cloudy, this great performing fan, will still run using the little solar power it receives, as well as backing it up with its AC power backup capabilities.
It is powered by a generous 20 Watt solar panel that can easily be aimed in directions of your choosing. This helps it be mounted on your roof or wall depending on the structure of your home. Furthermore, this device is fully controlled by its on-board thermostat, which allows you to save on your utilities, as it turns off according to the environment, temperature, humidity, etc.
If this high performing product can achieve at least 14 volts of electricity from the sun’s rays, then it maintains it, but when it falls below this number then it automatically averts to your household’s AC power outlet making it an extremely efficient and smart device.
Pros:
- Automatic self-regulation
- On-board thermostat
- Dual solar and AC powered
Cons:
- Complicated install for a layman
#5. ECO HOUSE Solar Powered Roof Vent Stainless Steel
- Brand: Eco House
- 100% energy savings
- Large CFM
- Easy Installation
Eco House has brought us niche in the current solar attic fan market, by introducing their latest product. It is very affordable but do not let this fool you into thinking it is lacking in features. This product comes packed with some features we all find necessary.
To begin with, the price itself if enough to peak our curiosity, the further we dig, we find out that this solar ventilation system is a hidden gem. Not only does it operate by solar energy, but it also has a backup system, in the form of a built-in rechargeable battery. This feature ensures you will have it operating throughout the day. Throw in it’s extremely easy to install aspect, then you have a recipe for the best priced solar fan.
Pros:
- Affordable price
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Small 5in fan
#6. 30-Watt Solar Attic Fan (Black) with Thermostat/Humidistat
- Brand: Remington Solar
- Color: Black
- Reduces your energy bill
- Powered by free solar energy
- Built-In humidistat & thermostat
Trying to rid your home or attic from offensive heat has never been more eco-friendly or cost effective. To a large part, we owe these advancements to products such as the one built by Remington Solar. With this current product they provide us with a fully efficient 30-Watt solar attic fan. As a package it come ready to install and put to use.
Some features we love about this product are that Remington had the foresight to include both a humidistat and a thermostat for our convenience. Therefore as this remarkable solar fan cools your attic it also drives out the humidity. To add to all this, it is designed to be durable with a brushless motor, meaning machine does not overheat through continuous use.
Pros:
- Comes with a 25 year warranty
- Offers built-in thermostat and humidistat
- Brushless motor technology
- Quiet motor – low noise
Cons:
- Low wattage power
#7. Broan-NuTone 345SOWW Surface Mount Solar-Powered Attic
- Brand: Broan-NuTone
- Solar powered attic ventilator
- Housing constructed of UV-stabilized
- Fast and easy installation
The Broan NuTone solar powered attic ventilator is has a convenient size, and comes with an aluminum fan blade enclosed in a plastic housing. With its polycrystalline solar panel and a 28 Watt motor, it is capable of reversing the heat and moisture of a space up to the size of 2,200 square feet.
Furthermore, Broan NuTone built their solar panel with a durable tempered glass, giving it the ability to withstand even the most trying weather conditions. This solar powered attic air conditioning fan is also designed with a bug repellant system making it ever more durable and dependable for home or attic cooling.
Pros:
- Built with durable materials
- All weather conditions resistant
- Bug resistant
Cons:
- Incompatible with cold weather condensation systems
#8. Natural Light Solar Attic Fan 32-watt Bronze
- Brand: Natural Light
- Heavy Duty Commercial Quality Construction
- Adjustable Tilt Solar Module
- 32-Watt with Capacity up to 1560 CFM up to 2200 Sq. Ft. Attic areas
Natural Light Solar is a behemoth when it comes to being industry leaders in the solar powered attic air conditioners and fans. It is a US owned company that has consistently spewed a range of high quality products in this industry. The Natural Light Solar Attic Fan 32-watt Bronze model is made with durable aluminum and has the ability to face extreme weather without rusting. This model also comes with an attractive bronze colored finish, adding to its quality and prestige.
Furthermore, this product has an adjustable solar panel that conforms to the direction you wish to tilt it to. Although, its 32 Watt motor is low compared to a 50 or 70 Watt model, we really were impressed by its power and consistency covering a 2,100 square feet area.
Pros:
- Impressive 25-year warranty
- Silent motor operation
- Easy to install
- High quality and durable materials
Cons:
- A costly piece of equipment
#9. Amtrak Solar’s Powerful 70-Watt Solar Attic Fan Quietly Cools Your House Ventilates Your House, Garage or RV and Protects Against Moisture Build-up
- Brand: Amtrak Solar
- Fits in the gable or attic of your home, greenhouse, garage or RV.
- Powerful fan motor 70 Watt Solar Panel
- Easy to install with quick-connect wires
Amtrak Solar is a brilliant company engaged in providing us with above standard solar attic air conditioning systems, a perfect solution for those unbearably hot days. This particular model has a motor that can only be described as a powerhouse.
Aside from its quick installation capabilities, this Amtrak Solar’s 70 Watt monster motor will continue running even when there is total cloud cover hindering the sunshine from reaching your device.
Pros:
- An expansive 25-year warranty
- Quality aluminum frame
- Effective for not only attics but greenhouses, cabins, etc.
Cons:
- Weak installation mount brackets
#10. ECO-WORTHY 25W Solar Powered Attic Ventilator Gable Roof Vent Fan
- Brand: Eco-Worthy
- Decent Warranty for Its Part
- Efficient in Low Light Condition
- Cost-Saving & Affordable
- Well-Made Quality
- Easy to Install
This model of Eco-Worthy is designed to be able to install in gable and roof vents. More on the design, it is built with a beautiful steel alloy, guaranteeing its long life and aesthetics. With some minor modifications this model can also be installed in sheds, RV’s and greenhouses, not to mention attic fans and gables.
Pros:
- Perfect for gable and roof vents
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No specific warranty information
Buyers Guide
These products are designed and built to help offset the heat of those summer days. They help protect our homes, attics, etc. from the sweltering sun and hot air. Choosing the right one depends of the size of the space you are dealing with and of course your allocation of money.
Final Verdict
We strongly believe that the best overall attic cooler is the amazing Amtrak Solar Vent Powerful 50-Watt Galvanized Steel, Solar Attic Fan. This marvelous product is a wonderful cooling and durable device. Additionally, it comes with a fair price for a product of such excellence; this item is definitely on our list of one of the best in the marketplace today. The product also comes with a plethora of features and functions, while also being relatively easy to install.
FAQs
These devices work by using the sun’s energy to power up their internal motors to rotate their fans, in turn causing a circulation of air to which cools the space.
Their durability largeley depends on the brand and the materials that are used during manufacture.
Depending on the model, most of them are extremely easy, while some might require the aid of a technician.
Some do and some do not. There are some models that have AC/DC and rechargeable battery capabilities.
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