What are these whole house fans we keep hearing about?

Well, it’s pretty much a large fan that’s installed in the ceiling of an upstairs hallway (or any hallway if you have a bungalow) and vents to the outside through the attic. According to the US Department of Energy, a whole house fan can be used as the sole means of cooling or to reduce the need for air conditioning. A whole house fan cools the inside of a house to the outside temperature; and unlike an air conditioner, it does not dehumidify; and dust and pollen can be brought into the house.

Therefore, outside air temperature and humidity dictate times when the whole house fan would be favorable over air conditioning. If both methods of cooling are present, a seasonal use of the whole house fan (during spring and fall) may yield the optimum combination of comfort and cost. And what are the cost savings? A WHF uses 1/10 the power of our air conditioner, so you do the math.

Via Consumerist, via FreeMoneyFinance.