Can I use an attic fan WITH a ridge vent roof?

Question

I am replacing a roof and have gotten contradictory information regarding having BOTH an attic fan with a ridge vent roof. Any informed opinions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

yes

Answer 2

all ridge roofs do is let hot air escape,right?

well if you put in a attic fan it will also pull some fresh air in. seems like a win,win to me

Answer 3

I am a landlord and I hire roofers. I also have installed attic ventilation fans. In my opinion this would not be the best way to go because heat rises. The attic fan is not at the top of the roof the ridge vent is, so it would be pulling air from the top. I would think it would be better to install a gable vent fan instead. this would pull cooler air in from lower and then the hot air would go out through the ridge. You may have to cut  holes for the gable fans to do this though.

If you have soffit vents as well  as the ridge vent, I personally would not put in the fan as the cooler air would enter through the soffits and hot air would exit through the ridge vent.

Also, the most important bit for keeping your home comfortable is adequate and properly installed insulation in the attic.

Answer 4

Yes.  A ridge vent allows the heat to escape by means of convection - heat rises to the highest point (ridge) and exits, although not fast.  By using an attic fan, it will move the heat up and out faster, thereby making the attic cooler.

Answer 5

....ok, the ridge vent is a specially designed row of roofing 'tiles' that have a small space for airflow and the span the entire ridge of the house......and are excellent in theory

.....but, where do you live?

...in Arizona, Texas? Nevada?

....in Texas, the more attic ventilation a person adds the better

....chaaaa, that area gets 'very' hot

....so, before you replace this roof......put a large thermometer, like a 12" diameter easy to read clock-looking type of thermometer in the attic, hangin up on a stud where's you's can read it easily and quick

.... then write down the temps, every day, morning and afternoon

...then next, go ahead and replace the roof (with 'whatever tiles you choose) assuming you are using the ridge vented types of tiles.....are you also replacng decking???

....replace the thermometer in the finished attic....repeat the process of recording the temps morning and afternoon or early evening....the point is to know the temps in the coolest part of the day and the hottest part, hence morning and afternoon or early evening (like at 6:30 am and 6:30pm)

.....if you are satisfied with the temperature differences, do not install an attic fan

.....the attic fans that are thermostatically powered, on and off use alot of electricity...and will run frequently.....but the cost being offset is not conducive...really, if you can alter heat otherwise....i prefer the spinning wind-turban units....as they are wind powered....not electric

.....any shade provided to the house is also a plus....like a shaded patio that also covers windows on the west side of the house are the biggest savings

....my experience with attic fans in our modern-type, 1-story cookie cutter homes, has noted expensive electric costs associated with the fans....and why install one that only runs occasionally?  that is subjective, and up to you

...in 1850-1940's 3-story 'draft homes' a huge ceiling/attic fan was very efficient in drafting the house up throught eh attic and ventilating the enitre area....hahaha, as kids, we would fly paper airplanes toward the intakes.....wooohooo, fun

....so, perhaps consider another older technology known as 'evaporative cooling', that technology has vastly improved although it still requires outside air to be brought in and cooled, so you can use attic air, that circulates in from the ridge row, and by way of the conduit to each room, provide nice cool, humidified air to everyone/room in the house....at a fraction of compressed air systems

.....Best of Luck

Answer 6

i dont see why not....the only issue though is the ridge vent would allow the hottest air to rise out and the attic fan would really deplete your a/c retention....