Solar Power Gable Fans
A gable fan refers to an attic fan that mounts to the gable, or the triangular section of a wall situated between the edges of a sloped roof. Gable fans can be electric or solar powered. Does this Spark an idea?
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Solar-powered Gable Fan
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Solar-powered gable fans are contained inside a round ventilator mounted to the gable section of a roof and positioned directly behind a solar panel. The solar panel generates energy via direct sunlight; this energy is used to power the spinning fan contained in the ventilator that circulates the attic air.
Pros
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The pros of using a solar-powered gable fan include decreased utility costs because the gable fan requires no electricity to operate. Solar-powered gable fans are environmentally friendly and are often quieter than electric attic fans.
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Cons
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Solar-powered gable fans require direct sunlight to operate. Total lack of sunlight causes the fan to cease spinning. Periods of the day when the sun's angle is lower in the sky, such as late afternoon and morning, may generate less direct sunlight on the fan and cause the blades to spin more slowly. Typical solar-powered gable fans move between 800 to 900 cfm, or cubic feet of air per minute. Depending on the size of the attic, several solar-powered gable fans may be necessary to keep the space cool.
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References
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- Photo Credit Solar Panel image by kuhar from Fotolia.com
