Hey everyone! I'm thinking about installing a whole-house fan and wanted to see if anyone has had recent experience with one, especially since June 2025. I live in California's Central Valley, where we have hot, dry summers and cool evenings, with overnight lows ranging from the high 50s to around 70 degrees on the hottest nights. Winters are mild with temperatures in the 50s and 60s and occasional lows in the high 20s.
I've been researching my options and got a quote directly from QuietCool for around $2K for their ES-3100 model, which fits my home's square footage and attic layout. However, a local HVAC company that I've worked with provided a quote exceeding $3K for their QC STL/TRI PRO-3.3 model, including installation. I suspect the Tri-Pro may be a superior unit, but my home is fairly basic in a middle-class neighborhood. I've made some upgrades that I'm happy with, but I'm unsure about the return on investment.
I'm planning to move in the next five years, and at a savings of about $60 a month for a maximum of six months per year, the $3K quote would take nearly a decade to break even. I'm a bit wary of the higher local quote but also have concerns about the lower price from QC—any advice from homeowners, contractors, or HVAC professionals would really help!
1 Answer
It's true that resellers often get access to the higher-end QuietCool models. I think $3K is a bit on the high side; it should be more in the ballpark of $2K, but then again, California prices can be inflated. You might want to check local supply houses or platforms like eBay for better deals on the higher-end models.
Thanks for the tip! I guess the high cost could be due to the HVAC company's labor rates, especially since they pay union-scale wages. But it’s hard to justify an $1800+ labor cost when the installation should be pretty straightforward.