Hi everyone! I live in a two-story house (2000 sq ft) in the Central Valley of California. During the summer, temperatures can soar above 100°F for weeks, and it's often above 90°F. I've got a working air conditioning system, but it doesn't cool down the house at night. I'm hesitant to run the AC all night since it's close to my master bedroom. Recently, when I turned off the AC around 7 PM, the upstairs temperature climbed quickly to 85°F, while the downstairs hit 82°F. The outdoor temperature stays around 90°F until late at night, so it doesn't cool off until after midnight when it goes below the indoor temperature. I'm concerned that my attic reaches over 120°F on those hot days. I'm wondering if installing an attic fan or a whole house fan would help in my situation?
2 Answers
Using a whole-house fan might not be effective if the temp outside isn’t livable. It works best in cooler climates. If it’s still sweltering at night, letting the AC run is probably your best bet. Attic temps can hit 120°F without issues, but the insulation is key. You might need to keep the AC on as you cool down after those hot days.
You might want to reconsider turning off the AC, especially if the house heats up that much. A whole-house fan is really useful only if it cools down significantly at night. If the outside temperature is still uncomfortable, bringing that air inside isn’t ideal. On the other hand, an attic fan could do wonders for cooling your attic, especially if the space is well-sealed to prevent hot air from seeping back into your living areas.