Installing a Whole House Fan: A Step-by-Step Guide

To begin with, we want to remove the plywood on the floor and pull the insulation out of the bay. The next step is to show how the fan goes into place, which will actually fit right in between the joist bay. We are now located over the center of the hall, so our goal is to build a chute that will pull air from below when the fan is on.

To start building the chute, we need to close off one end and the other end of the joist bay. This will ensure that the fan pulls air from below effectively. To achieve this, I cut two 2x1 boards to the width of the bay and drop them down here. The first board is going to be made flush with the top, and we'll use a 16 penny nail to drive it in. Next, we want to square up the board by holding it against the joist and using a square to check its accuracy.

Now that we have our first board in place, let's move on to the other end of the bay. We need to put another block right into the hole, making sure it's aligned with the line we've prepared. We want to create enough play in the opening so that the fan will fit comfortably. Now that we have both ends of the bay secured, we can start putting the plywood back and cut a hole for the fan.

To ensure accurate placement of the fan, I know that the 2x10 blocking is about 7.5 inches from the edge of this plywood. Therefore, I'll drill a hole approximately 8.5 inches in diameter. Next, I'll use my plunge router with a flush cutting bit and bearing to cut through the actual ceiling. The dust collected from below will be removed using a vacuum cleaner.

As we work on the fan installation, it's essential to consider the electrical aspects of the system. The wire running through the opening feeds the two ceiling lights in the hall. Since there's enough play in the hole, I can simply slide this wire over to the end and staple it securely. To prevent air from drawing under the insulation, we'll fill this void with foam insulation. Additionally, weather stripping will be applied to reduce any vibration caused by the fan.

With all these components in place, let's proceed to install the fan itself. I've put a couple of screws to secure the fan into position, ensuring it won't move around during operation. The two-speed fan on high mode will draw 16,600 cubic feet of air out of your house every minute. This exhausted air needs to be directed somewhere; some of it will go through the soffit vents on either side of the house and the ridge vent, while a significant amount will pass through the windows at the gable end.

To control this airflow effectively, I'll keep these windows open all summer long. It's essential to note that using the remote to activate the fan is straightforward: simply press the button, and the insulated doors will open once they're fully extended. This will allow the fan blades to start spinning, significantly improving the comfort level of your home.

In conclusion, installing a whole house fan requires careful planning and execution. By following these steps, you'll be able to enjoy a cooler and more comfortable living space during the warmer months.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enall right to get started we want to remove the plywood on the floor tom I pulled the insulation out of the bay okay all right now let me show you how the fan goes now it'll actually fit right in between the joy Bay and we are now located over the center of the hall what we have to do is we have to build a chute so we have to close off this end and this end of the joist Bay so when the fan is on it will pull the air from below all right now I cut a couple of 2 by1 the width of the bay drop one down here I want to make it flush with the top going to use a 16 penny nail drive it in now I want to square it up in the bay take my Square hold it against the joist and the block okay now I'll nail the other side all right now we do the other end put that block right in the hole there put it against the line that I've got ready all right we have some play in the opening that's perfect now the fan is going to sit on top of the plywood so let's put the plywood back and we'll cut the hole in the plywood for the fan now I know that the 2x10 blocking is about 7 and 1/2 in from the edge of this plywood so I'm going to drill a hole about 8 and 1/2 in in all right now I'm going to use my plunge router with a flush cutting bit that has a bearing on the bottom that will ride along the inside of the 2x10 now I'm going to cut the actual ceiling you collect the dust from down below with the vacuum now this wire right here in the opening actually feeds the two ceiling lights in the hall now there's enough play in it I can simply slide it over to the end of the opening and I'll staple it so we don't draw any air from under the insulation we're going to fill this void or this Gap with foam insulation to make a nice tight seal between the bottom of the fan and the top of the floor we're going to stick on some weather stripping the weather stripping also cuts down on any vibration the fan might create now I just put the fan in the opening take a couple of screws to hold it into position so it doesn't move around now Eric that's a two-speed fan and on high that will draw, 16600 cubic feet of air out of your house a minute all of that exhausted air is going to come into the attic and it has to have someplace to go some of it will go out the soft fent on this side of the house some of it will go out the soft vent on that side of the house and some of it will go out the ridge vent but a lot of it will go out these windows on the Gable end of your house so I'll keep these open all summer long Tom that's right Eric you plug the fan in I'm going to go attach the grill to the ceiling sounds good Tom all right all right your grill is attached now to activate the fan you simply use this remote when you push the button the first thing that happens Al the insulated doors will open once they're opened all the way then the fan blades will start now you're going to notice a big difference in the comfort of your house but you're really going to notice a difference in your electrical beltall right to get started we want to remove the plywood on the floor tom I pulled the insulation out of the bay okay all right now let me show you how the fan goes now it'll actually fit right in between the joy Bay and we are now located over the center of the hall what we have to do is we have to build a chute so we have to close off this end and this end of the joist Bay so when the fan is on it will pull the air from below all right now I cut a couple of 2 by1 the width of the bay drop one down here I want to make it flush with the top going to use a 16 penny nail drive it in now I want to square it up in the bay take my Square hold it against the joist and the block okay now I'll nail the other side all right now we do the other end put that block right in the hole there put it against the line that I've got ready all right we have some play in the opening that's perfect now the fan is going to sit on top of the plywood so let's put the plywood back and we'll cut the hole in the plywood for the fan now I know that the 2x10 blocking is about 7 and 1/2 in from the edge of this plywood so I'm going to drill a hole about 8 and 1/2 in in all right now I'm going to use my plunge router with a flush cutting bit that has a bearing on the bottom that will ride along the inside of the 2x10 now I'm going to cut the actual ceiling you collect the dust from down below with the vacuum now this wire right here in the opening actually feeds the two ceiling lights in the hall now there's enough play in it I can simply slide it over to the end of the opening and I'll staple it so we don't draw any air from under the insulation we're going to fill this void or this Gap with foam insulation to make a nice tight seal between the bottom of the fan and the top of the floor we're going to stick on some weather stripping the weather stripping also cuts down on any vibration the fan might create now I just put the fan in the opening take a couple of screws to hold it into position so it doesn't move around now Eric that's a two-speed fan and on high that will draw, 16600 cubic feet of air out of your house a minute all of that exhausted air is going to come into the attic and it has to have someplace to go some of it will go out the soft fent on this side of the house some of it will go out the soft vent on that side of the house and some of it will go out the ridge vent but a lot of it will go out these windows on the Gable end of your house so I'll keep these open all summer long Tom that's right Eric you plug the fan in I'm going to go attach the grill to the ceiling sounds good Tom all right all right your grill is attached now to activate the fan you simply use this remote when you push the button the first thing that happens Al the insulated doors will open once they're opened all the way then the fan blades will start now you're going to notice a big difference in the comfort of your house but you're really going to notice a difference in your electrical belt\n"