To lower the use and expense of air conditioning a home in the dog days of summer, consider installing a whole house fan to cool it down. The fan, usually installed on the second floor in the ceiling, is designed to pull air through open windows and doors and exhaust it out through the attic to the outdoors. It works best in the evening as the temperature drops, so fresh air is pulled in and forces hot air through attic vents. By morning you’ll be reaching for a blanket after a cool night’s sleep.
An electrician charges $660, including labor and material, to install a belt-driven attic fan that cools a typical 1,500-square-foot house. A homeowner with electrical and carpentry skills can buy one for $450, install it and save about 32%.
