Whole house fan installation is an easy project for experienced do-it-yourselfers and those with experience in home renovations. If you are not an experienced craftsman, do not try to install a whole house fan without the help of an expert as you may inadvertently cause severe damage to your home.
To install your new whole house fan, you'll first need to gather your tools. Here's what you'll need:
Electric Drill
Phillips Bit
Phillips Screwdriver
Flathead Screwdriver
Awl
Drywall Saw
Pencil
Ladder
Next, gather all your fan components.
QuietCool Motorhead
Duct
Damper Box
Grille & Template
Screws
Nylon Strap
Window Locks
Then, read through your QuietCool whole house fan owners manual to ensure you understand all of the steps and requirements before your installation.
Once your tools and components are gathered, and you understand the installation process, it's time to find the best location for your fan. For the best cooling effects throughout your entire home, the fan should be centrally located, such as above your stairs or in a main hallway. Remember to note the location in relation to windows and doors needed to create airflow. Inside your attic, find a location to mount your fan unit with at least 30-inches of clearance height.
After the location of your fan is determined, head to your attic and remove any obstructions that may block the fan, and pull back any insulation around the location of the ceiling cutout.
Using the awl and template, mark four reference holes in the drywall around the template. Back downstairs, match the four holes and mark around the template with a pencil. Remove the template and use the drywall saw to cut around the mark you made with the pencil.
Pass the fan motor unit, duct and damper box through the opening in the ceiling. Place the damper box over the ceiling cutout and attach it to one or more sides of the joists inside your attic using the preexisting holes on the damper box. On the opposite side, use a drywall screw to screw through the drywall into the metal flange. The flange is designed to fasten and secure the damper box.
Next, install your ceiling grill, finishing the installation with the white ceiling screws included. These screws will penetrate the flange on the damper box to hold it in place.
Back inside the attic, attach the whole house fan motor to the duct, and use the innovative hanging strap to hang the fan — screw two screws into a rafter almost all the way. Hang the straps on the screw heads, and tighten the screws. Make sure your motor head is three to six feet away from the damper box, and keep the motor head slightly tilted towards the roof to avoid possible movement and insulation from blowing around in your attic.
Attach the duct to the damper box with the included screws. Then, wrap the nylon strap around the duct and the rafter to create a rough, 90-degree angle in the duct. This will keep the fan from moving and reduce vibration and noise while the fan is in use.
All done!
Remember to ALWAYS check your local building codes when installing appliances. You may consider using an electrician to connect your new whole house fan to power and the control panel, or Contact Us to complete your entire whole house fan installation! We are QuietCool Colorado's top-rated whole house fan installer, providing free estimates, next-day installs, and un-matched customer service since 2003!