Whole house fans are an excellent alternative to air conditioners, which are infamous for squeezing our budgets with hefty energy bills. But as with other machines, whole house fans aren’t eternal and may stop working over time.
You can often identify, and potentially fix, the issue yourself and get it working again. So, before you throw in the towel thinking you’ll have to switch to your AC, here’s a handy guide to help you get to the bottom of the problem and find a solution.
Whole House Fans Explained
Whole house fans have a long history dating back to the 1900s, but their popularity surged when consumers sought alternatives to combat high electricity costs associated with air conditioning units.
Cost-Effective Cooling
Air conditioners, while effective at cooling, often lead to steep energy bills. In response, many homeowners turned to a cost-effective solution: whole house fans.
How They Work
Whole house fans are typically installed in the attic or roof. Their operation is straightforward: they draw in outside air through open doors and windows, expelling hot indoor air in the process. This mechanism creates a cooling effect as stale air is pushed out through attic vents, resulting in a fresher atmosphere within your home.
Air Changes per Hour
A properly functioning whole house fan is expected to provide 3-6 air changes per hour in your home. The actual rate may vary depending on factors such as your home’s layout and the local climate.
Year-Round Use
Homeowners can benefit from whole house fans year-round. These fans are particularly effective when used in the early morning or evening when outdoor temperatures are cooler. To maximize their effectiveness, it’s essential to allow for proper airflow by opening windows or doors.
Reasons Why Your Whole House Fan Is Not Working
A malfunctioning whole house fan can be a source of frustration, as it offers energy-efficient cooling that other appliances can’t replicate. Fortunately, many issues with whole house fans can be resolved. Here are 15 common reasons for fan problems and their corresponding fixes:
1. Fan Controls Aren’t Functioning
Common Issue: Malfunctioning Fan Controls
Whole house fans are typically ceiling-mounted, making it inconvenient to reach the controls directly.
Diagnosis and Fix
If you can’t turn on the fan, the issue may lie with the controls. You can identify faulty controls by bypassing them and plugging the fan directly into a power outlet. If the fan starts working when plugged into the outlet, the controls are likely the problem. In such cases, it’s best to call a licensed electrician to inspect and make any necessary wiring adjustments.
2. Faulty Motor
Common Issue: Damaged Fan Motor
A damaged fan motor is a common problem and can be attributed to factors like factory defects, overheating, loose wires, or faulty blades.
Diagnosis and Fix
Symptoms of a faulty motor may include a rattling noise or the fan failing to turn on, possibly accompanied by a burning smell. If your whole house fan is brand new and under warranty, contact the manufacturer for repairs or replacement. For older units, you’ll need to replace the motor. You can choose to do this yourself by following these steps:
- Turn off the breakers supplying electricity to the whole house fan.
- Unscrew the vent panel.
- Remove the vent panel and take out the fan.
- Locate the motor and carefully unbolt it.
- Replace the old motor with a new one and reinstall the fan.
- Screw the vent panel back in place and turn the breaker back on.
Before purchasing a new motor, it’s advisable to inspect the old one for minor damages that may be repairable.
3. Overheating
Common Issue: Overheating in Electric Appliances
Overheating is a common problem in electric appliances, including whole-house fans. This issue can arise due to various factors, such as an overworked motor, fan damage, or blocked vents.
Why Overheating Occurs
Whole-house fans are responsible for maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures, and to do so efficiently, they must remain cool themselves. When they fail to work correctly, it often means that an internal component is struggling to circulate air effectively.
For instance, if the fan blades are slightly damaged or broken, they can create excessive air resistance when spinning. This extra strain on the motor can lead to the unit overheating.
Signs of an Overheated Whole House Fan
An overheated whole-house fan will typically feel hot to the touch. Additionally, it may turn on, but it won’t produce the desired cooling effect.
How to Fix Overheating Issues
As a general rule, it’s essential to inspect your whole-house fan’s components regularly to ensure they are in good working condition. Preventing excessive resistance and high temperatures is crucial. While there’s no fixed schedule for these checks, consider examining the internal components every 3-4 months. If you notice any unusual behavior before this timeframe, don’t hesitate to investigate the issue.
4. Loose Wires
Common Issue: Loose Wires in Whole House Fans
Loose wires don’t necessarily indicate poor installation; even correctly installed wires can become loose or damaged over time in a whole-house fan system.
Understanding the Problem
To diagnose loose wire issues, you might need to access the fan’s internal wiring. If your whole-house fan is not functioning correctly or fails to turn on, it’s a good idea to inspect the unit’s wiring.
How to Fix Loose Wire Problems
Having your unit’s wiring diagram available is helpful. You can usually find this diagram in the user manual provided by the manufacturer. Once you’ve gained access to the wiring and identified wires that need reattachment or repair, you can address the issue.
However, if you’re unsure about your DIY skills or the extent of the damage, it’s advisable to contact a professional electrician for assistance.
5. Broken Thermostat
Common Issue: Broken Thermostat in Whole House Fans
Thermostats play a crucial role in regulating temperature within electronic devices. In whole-house fans, they sense and control the temperature, ensuring that the unit operates safely.
Understanding the Problem
If your whole-house fan fails to start, a damaged thermostat could be the culprit. A broken thermostat will prevent the unit from activating as a safety measure.
How to Fix a Broken Thermostat
To identify a broken thermostat, you’ll need to access the internal components of the unit. Turn off the power source and locate the thermostat. You can test it using a multimeter.
If the thermostat falls within the specified electrical properties, it should function correctly once more. However, if the thermostat is faulty, it will require replacement. Handling a damaged thermostat can be tricky, so it’s best to contact a qualified electrician to perform the replacement.
6. Blades Aren’t Spinning
Common Issue: Blades Not Spinning in Whole House Fans
If you hear the fan motor humming but the blades remain stationary, there could be several underlying causes for this issue.
Possible Causes
- Misaligned Blades: Sometimes, the blades can become misaligned and make contact with the housing, preventing them from spinning.
- Broken Motor Belt: Another reason for non-spinning blades could be a broken motor belt, which can be identified by inspecting any objects hanging from the fan blades.
- Lack of Lubrication: Fan bearings may need lubrication to ensure smooth operation.
How to Fix Blades That Aren’t Spinning
- For dispositioned blades, you can carefully move them back to their original position. This requires disconnecting the unit and adjusting the motor bracket to center the blades.
- If you notice a broken motor belt, it’s time for a replacement. You can purchase a new belt and install it yourself or seek professional assistance.
- Lubricating the fan bearings may also resolve the issue. However, consult your user manual for guidance, as some motors are permanently lubricated and don’t require additional maintenance.
7. Squeaking Fan
Common Issue: Squeaking Noise in Whole House Fans
Whole house fans are appreciated for their quiet operation. However, they may occasionally produce squeaking noises, which can be caused by various factors.
Possible Causes
- Dust and Debris Accumulation: Dust and debris can accumulate inside the motor, leading to squeaking noises.
- Foreign Objects: Foreign objects inside the fan can also be responsible for squeaks.
- Lack of Lubrication: Squeaking may occur if the fan components require lubrication.
How to Fix a Squeaking Fan
- Unscrew the unit and inspect the motor for debris buildup. Use a dry towel to clean the motor and check for foreign objects stuck in the fan. Use compressed air to remove any debris from the fan.
- Consider lubricating the motor with motor oil to eliminate squeaks. Follow your user manual’s instructions or seek help from the manufacturer to avoid over-lubrication.
8. Fan Keeps Turning Off and On
Common Issue: Whole House Fan Intermittently Turns On and Off
If your whole house fan operates intermittently, it can be due to several factors, including inadequate attic ventilation, defective sensors, loose wires, or a faulty thermostat.
Possible Causes and Fixes
- Inadequate Attic Ventilation: Ensure proper attic ventilation by opening doors and windows in your home, as inadequate ventilation can lead to overheating and intermittent fan operation.
- Sensor Replacement: If your home and attic are well-ventilated, and there are no blockages in attic vents, consider replacing the sensor. Refer to the instruction manual to locate and replace the sensor.
- Malfunctioning Motor: A faulty motor can cause the fan to turn on and off intermittently and may eventually damage the unit. Regular maintenance, including motor lubrication, can help prevent motor failure.
- Blade Inspection: Minor damage to the blades can create high resistance when drawing in air, causing the unit to frequently turn on and off. Replace damaged blades as needed.
- Loose Wires: Loose or improperly installed wires can also lead to intermittent fan operation. Inspect the unit’s wiring for any loose or damaged wires and ensure proper installation.
9. Shutters Do Not Open
Common Issue: Shutters Fail to Open in Whole House Fans
Whole house fan shutters are designed to seal off backdrafts when the fan is not in use. However, they may sometimes fail to open due to insufficient power.
Possible Causes and Fix
- Foreign Objects: Inspect the shutters for any foreign objects obstructing their movement. Use compressed air to remove debris if necessary.
- Shutter Damage: If debris isn’t the issue, the shutters themselves may be damaged and require replacement. You can usually replace them yourself by purchasing a new set from the manufacturer.
- Insufficient Power: If insufficient power is the problem, start the fan at high speed and gradually switch to low speed to encourage the shutters to open.
10. Shutters Do Not Close
Common Issue: Shutters Fail to Close in Whole House Fans
While not a major issue, open shutters during inoperational hours can allow foreign objects and debris to enter the fan, which is not ideal.
Possible Fix
Examine the shutter closely, and if you find a missing screw on the shutter’s linkage strip, tighten it. However, if the shutter is damaged, you’ll need to replace it.
11. Flapping Shutters
Common Issue: Flapping Shutters in Whole House Fans
Shutter vanes may flap due to a well-sealed house, creating pressure that pushes the shutters up. While this doesn’t impact the unit’s operation, it can produce an annoying noise.
How to Fix Flapping Shutters
To prevent shutters from flapping, you can apply foam strips along the entire length of each shutter vane. This will prevent them from closing onto the metal when they shut and reduce noise. Ensure the foam covers the entire length to prevent air leakage.
12. Fan Is Shaking
Common Issue: Shaking in Whole House Fan
While some vibration is normal due to blade movement, excessive shaking can be problematic and may indicate a bent or unbalanced blade.
How to Fix a Shaking Fan
Handling fan blade issues can be challenging and is best left to professionals. Contact an experienced installer to assess the problem and, if necessary, install a new blade assembly.
13. Fan Isn’t Running on High
Common Issue: Whole House Fan Won’t Run on High Speed
Modern whole house fans often allow you to adjust their speed to suit your preferences. If your fan refuses to run at high speed, several factors could be causing the problem.
Possible Causes and Fixes
- Belt Tension: Adjust the belt tension to control the fan’s speed. Ideally, there should be about a half-inch deflection when you push the belt.
- Damaged Switch: Test the switch by swapping the high and low wires and turning on the unit. For electrical repairs, consult a professional.
- Worn Out Bearing: A damaged bearing can affect the fan’s high-speed operation. If you notice a worn-out bearing, consider replacing it.
- Faulty Motor: If none of the above solutions work, a faulty motor may be the cause. You can locate the motor, open the fan unit, and replace it if necessary.
14. The Fan Hums But Doesn’t Work
Common Issue: Fan Hums but Doesn’t Operate
While a slight humming sound is normal when the fan starts, persistent humming can be bothersome and indicative of an issue.
How to Fix a Humming Fan
Consult your unit’s user manual to activate the anti-hum function, if available. This should resolve the noise issue.
15. No Power
Common Issue: Whole House Fan Has No Power
A lack of power can prevent the fan from functioning at all. It’s essential to determine whether this is the root cause of the problem.
How to Diagnose and Fix a No-Power Issue
- Check Different Sockets: Plug the fan into different sockets to rule out socket-related issues. If it works in one socket but not another, you may have a socket problem. If the issue persists, move to the next step.
- Confirm Power Issue: If the problem persists across multiple sockets, it’s likely a power supply issue. Contact an electrician to resolve the problem.
In most cases, your whole house fan will return to normal operation once the power supply issue is resolved.
How to Identify If Your Whole House Fan Is Not Working
Several signs can indicate that your whole house fan is not functioning as it should. Pay attention to these signs:
- The fan frequently turns on and off.
- The fan controls do not respond.
- The shutters fail to close.
- The shutters do not open.
- The shutters flap noisily.
- Unusual loud humming sounds.
- Squeaking noises from the fan.
- Inability to run the fan at high speed.
- The motor runs, but the blades do not spin.
- Neither the motor turns on nor the blades spin.
Refer to the “Reasons Why Your Whole House Fan Is Not Working As It Should” section for details on common problems and their solutions.
How Long Do Whole House Fans Last?
Whole house fans typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. However, the actual longevity can vary based on factors such as the brand, usage, and maintenance practices.
The lifespan of your whole house fan depends on several factors. If you’ve purchased a unit from a reputable brand, it’s more likely to come with a warranty and live up to your expectations. Conversely, if you bought a unit from a manufacturer known for producing subpar products, it may not last as long.
Furthermore, your fan’s usage habits can significantly impact its lifespan. Running the fan 24/7 without proper ventilation or in a way that overworks it can shorten its lifespan. Ideally, use the fan during early mornings and evenings when indoor temperatures are lower to prevent excessive wear and tear.
Regular maintenance, including cleaning the fan once a year, can also extend its lifespan.
Do Whole House Fans Need Regular Maintenance?
While whole house fans don’t require daily or monthly maintenance, they do benefit from annual upkeep to ensure optimal performance.
Despite their long lifespan, whole house fans still need annual maintenance to keep them running efficiently. Consider scheduling an annual checkup with a qualified electrician to ensure that the system is functioning correctly and that no internal components are damaged.
Promptly replacing any damaged parts identified during maintenance can prevent further issues and maintain the system’s longevity.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Whole House Fan?
The cost of repairing a whole house fan varies depending on the extent of the damage and the electrician’s experience. On average, expect to pay between $400 and $800 for repairs.
Minor issues that require simple fixes will cost less, while more extensive damage that necessitates part replacements or significant repairs will be more expensive. For example, a malfunctioning motor might cost around $100 for the part alone, excluding labor charges. The cost also varies based on the specific component requiring repair.
Keep in mind that an electrician’s hourly rate will influence the overall repair cost. More experienced electricians often charge higher rates, and extensive repairs that require more time and effort will also come at a higher cost.
How to Replace the Whole House Fan?
Replacing a whole house fan involves several steps, and it’s essential to follow them carefully. If you’re confident in your technical skills, you can attempt the replacement yourself.
Replacement Steps:
- Turn off the power supply to the fan.
- Open the regulator cover and carefully remove the wiring.
- Remove the old fan and motor by unscrewing them.
- Install the new fan in place of the old one and connect the wires.
- Attach the wires to the regulator and close the cover.
- Adjust the fan controls to your desired temperature settings.
- Turn the power supply back on and test the fan to ensure it’s functioning correctly.
However, if you’re unsure about your skills or if the replacement process is complex due to your fan’s brand or model, it’s recommended to hire a professional electrician for accurate installation.
