It seems that every time you turn around somebody has their hands in your pocket wanting your hard earned cash! And when it comes to keeping your home cool, it seems like there are a few people grabbing at your wallet. So how can you find a home cooling option that won’t break your budget and will stop those wallet grabbers for once and for all?
If at this time, a complete home cooling system such as a heat pump is not within your means and if even a window air conditioner just won’t work for your current situation, then why not try a whole house window fan as another option? Operating one of these fans can be considerably less expensive than investing in an air conditioner for your home. The intention is to use the window fan when the outside air temperature drops to a cooler temperature. The window fan then brings the cooler air directly into the house, and then the idea is to trap that cooler air inside and keeping it there during the hotter times of the day.
The window fan is much more cost effective than a regular air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner can use upwards of 6000 watts of electricity per hour, while a whole home window fan will use less than 800 watts to cool the same square footage. Even the initial outlay of a whole house window fan is less expensive than traditional air conditioners. If your home is larger, then your initial outlay will be more than if you have a smaller house or apartment of course. But a whole house window fan can cost anywhere between $200 to $1000; again depending on your space requirements.
These types of whole home window fans usually come with two speeds – the higher speed being more efficient at cooler the house of course, but that also comes with a higher sound level. Some people keep the fan running at the low speed all the time just to keep the air circulating. You can also purchase a unit that has a timer, so it only comes on during the nighttime. And/or it only comes on when you are at home, and not when the house is sitting empty.
However, these fans do not do anything when it comes to reducing the humidity levels inside your home, so for some people that is one distinct disadvantage. If you live in an area that has very high humidity and that it bothers you, then this might not be your best option. It can also bring in some dust from the outside, which is also something to consider if you have high dust allergies or you don’t like dusting your furniture any more than you absolutely have to.
But all in all, installing a whole home window fan might still be a better option for your home cooling needs – you just need to make sure you have weighed all the pros and cons before making a final decision that will work for you.