Electrical Wiring 4 Dummies - What can I do here

[musgofasta]

I'm looking at putting a whole house fan in my house. For those that aren't familiar with them, they pull cooler air from out via open windows, and pull the hot air into the attic. Because how air rises, attic vents allow it to escape outside. It cut down on electric bills by not having to run the A/C very much.

The one I have came from Lowe's, a standard 24'' square fan.

I have a spare outlet in the attic next to the A/C unit, so I'm going to add a standard plug to the end of the wiring instead of hard wiring the fan. No issue there.

But what I really want is something better than the pull chain operation of the motor. I want a wireless remote than I can leave downstairs, like the wireless remote for the ceiling fans in the bedrooms.

The EASIEST option I've found is one of these. A wireless remote outlet control. But it would only allow for one speed. I'd leave the fan on either high or low, and control on/off with the remote. I've never seen or found an adjustable one though.

I REALLY WANT to have some adjustability of the fan speed, so I'm wondering if I can cut out the pull chain control and install a universal fan controller? Do these control the fan speed by limiting how much power the fan motor recieves, like an electricity valve?

Pull chain motors are just lame. So 1980's!

 

[conv440]

Check out the ActiveHome x10 options. They have modules that allow you to remotely dim and some modules are designed for appliances.
http://www.x10.com/automation/ck12a_s_12pc_ps146.html

 

[n2jeepn]

The x10 dimming modules are only designed for a light. The appliance modules are designed for a heavier draw, but are not dimmable. Unfortunately, i think you would need an appliance module for the fan.

 

[Worsedog]

Check out the add on remotes for a regular ceiling fan.........not sure if they could handle the load of your whole house fan.

If not maybe you could use the remote to operate some relays that would control the fan.

 

[Burl]

Definately get something that will control the fan speed. I have a unit in my house and at high speeds it is noisy, but at lower speeds it is a lot quieter. Just make sure that your attic is vented very well to let the air escape (ridge vent, soffit vents, etc.), as this is critical in the way it will cool your house.

 

[kbs2244]

Plus one to Burl on the attic venting.
You are going to be pushing a lot of air and it needs a place to get out.
As far as comtrol, I would go with a temp operated one.
Leave the fan on low speed. Even then it will be moving a lot more air than you are now.

 

[Burl]

Another thing that you have to remember with a high-velocity fan such as these is that they also need "drawing air", such as having windows open to draw air into the house. If not, these fans can actually draw enough air out of your house to make things dangerous, such as extinguish pilot lights from gas appliances (water heaters, stoves, furnaces, etc.).

 

[musgofasta]

I've got plenty of windows, and our sliding glass door is open most of the day. It's on the other side of the house and downstairs, so I'm hoping to pull in lots of nice fresh air from that area.

 

[Old Moparz]

I've been wanting to get a fan like that for my house too, but just haven't yet. Two things that come to mind for you to consider are......

1) I spoke to a supplier about the fan size I need in my application & he brought up a point that was similar to burl's. If you do not have enough venting to exhaust the hot air from the attic, the fan will work against itself. What he meant was, the fan will be trying to push more air than the vents can allow to pass through & in turn make the fan less efficient. He also said it would cause premature failure of the fan motor & it could also create pressure within the attic space, but I have no idea how critical that pressure would be.

2) Whatever switch you decide to get to control the fan, whether a remote or a adjustable speed type, I had a problem very recently with a ceiling fan that I couldn't diagnose. I wanted a 3 speed switch on the wall so I can bypass the use of the pull chain & installed the switch. What I didn't know, was that the fan I have needed a 2 amp switch, & the switch I bought (that was on the shelf with the fan at the store...lol) was 1.5 amps & burned out the low speed setting after a few months of use. I first thought I had a bad switch & bought a second, but after a few months it happened again. I asked several people & posted my question on a couple of forums, & after a few answers, I figured I may have just had 2 crappy switches & bought a 3rd from a different manufacturer that burned out as I turned it on.

Finally, I was told that the fan I have was not compatible with the switch. I then tracked down the manufacturer & gave part numbers of the fan & switch & they confirmed the problem. So, instead of spending another $25 for a 4th & correct switch, I simply used a light switch for the power & the pull chain for the speeds.

Just make sure your switch matches the fan you get.

 

[musgofasta]

I plan on adding ducting to the whole house fan, and tapping it into the existing A/C unit exhaust duct. It has a straight shot to it's own gable vent.

I plan on asking an electrician about my universal ceiling fan remote idea, and seeing what he thinks. I'll definitely need to get all of the Amp/watt/volt specs on the house fan and compare them to the universal box specs. I'm thinking the fan might be pulling a bit too much power, but then again I can't think the house fan motor being any bigger than a ceiling fan motor. It's still just spinning fins around in a circle, just a more RPMs.

 

[neptunesrevenge]

you also need to check to see if the motor on this has seperate wires for the speeds ( ie: black=high, blue=med, red=low, white=common) If so you won't be able to just run a variable speed switch, you would need a high, med, low switch and a 4 conductor wire.

 

[kbs2244]

"Spinning Fins" in free air as opposed to into ducting is two very different things.
Just as much as you realize you need electrical help, you need HVAC help also.

 

[musgofasta]

Got it all installed over the weekend, using the easier option A. The house fan motor is way over the 1-1.5 amp rating of every universal ceiling fan remote system I looked at. So that pretty much made the decision for me. The low setting is more than enough power anyway. I think the high setting would lift a small child off the ground!

I love this thing already. Once the sun sets, open the windows and fire it up. Remote system works great. Relatively easy install of the whole unit. Only thing that irked me was the $20 price increase at Lowe's since the last time I looked at it. I have also axed any plans to duct it also, I think I'll just throw a gable vent up there also. Keep it simple stupid!

Very happy overall.