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Solar Attic Fans
The Natural Choice in Attic Venting!
The Solar Attic Fan made by Natural Light Energy Systems is a simple and environmentally sensible solution that can protect your home and save you money. Powered completely by free solar energy,
this sleek and efficient vent is both compact and quiet. Fully operational right from the box, it installs easily with no electrical wiring, no expensive electrician, and no
permits. And it's powerful! Operating up to 850 cfms, a 10 watt unit can fully vent up to 1,200 square feet. A 20 watt unit, operating at up to 1,200 cfms, can fully vent up to
2000 square feet, and the new 30 watt unit operating up to 1550 cfms can vent up to 2500 square feet. Place it wherever you need improved circulation.
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Overview
Attic venting is an important aspect in maintaining a healthy energy efficient home. Proper venting cools your roof extending the material life and reduces the load on your air conditioning system. Attic venting also increases fresh air circulation which reduces vapor build up generated by every day activities like showering and cooking.
Excess moisture trapped in your attic can cause a variety of problems from rust and rot to increased bacteria and mold counts which can have a direct impact on your respiratory health! Passive vents have been a part of building codes for years. Soffit vents, ridge vents and louvers rely on nature to provide sufficient air pressure and air movement. So the majority of the time your attic is stagnant and continues to build up heat and moisture.
Advantages
1. Minimize backpressure of exhaust gases.
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Incorporates an angled throat within the flashing that provides a venturi effect, which increases airflow.
- Designed from the ground up to minimize obstructions in the flashing and shroud.
2. Maximize the exposure of the sun to the solar panel.
- Mounting bracket that houses the solar panel allows for angling the panel.
- An optional special order remote solar panel can be installed away from the attic fan housing. It is used in applications where there is limited sunshine where the unit is to be installed. The remote panel is installed in a sunny area,
capturing maximum amount of sunlight and therefore achieving optimal attic fan performance.
3. Minimize the ambient temperature of the solar panel because power output rapidly declines as temperature increases.
- The entire assembly is powder coated, inside and out, in a neutral gray color thus ensuring that it does not act like a heat sink.
- The solar panel mounting bracket allows for an envelope of cool air to continually circulate around the entire solar panel.
4. Adaptable to any location, roof type, in any environment. 
- Natural Light is constructed of .080 (14 gauge) aluminum, the flashing and shroud are seamless ensuring weather tight installations.
- Stainless steel animal protection screen.
- Stainless steel hardware throughout.
- Powder coated to withstand any environment.
- Fifty year Neutral Cure silicone bonds the flashing to the roof.
Benefits
Lowers attic temperature which reduces the load on the HVAC System.
The most obvious reason for attic ventilation is to lower attic space temperature during the warmer months. Attic temperatures can exceed 160°F during hot summer days. Proper attic ventilation can reduce those temperatures by up to 50°F. No matter how much insulation is in the attic, heat can still transfer into adjacent living spaces. In fact, extra insulation can actually add to temperature increases because heat is trapped in the insulation. Proper ventilation evacuates this excess heat build-up. As the heat is exhausted, the work load of the air conditioning system is reduced, thereby saving energy and extending the life of the air conditioning system.
Extends the life of the roofing materials.
Though asphalt shingles are designed to take the abuse of the sun for many years, they are subjected to greater temperatures when the roof decking is allowed to overheat, which is just what happens in an under ventilated attic.
In the cooler months, moisture is the most serious concern. Even with the use of vapor barriers to keep moisture from entering the attic, there are air leaks around ceiling light fixtures, bathroom exhaust fans that allow unwanted moisture into the attic. Moisture condensing on the framing members and the inside of the roof deck can lead to the growth of mold, mildew and rot in the roof deck and framing. A good indicator of moisture problem is rusty roof nails sticking through the roof deck.
Asphalt shingle manufacturers warranties require proper attic ventilation.
Attic ventilation is required in cold environments - it evacuates the warm moist air that heat sources produce. Hot moist air lingering in the attic spaces can condense on the underside of the roof sheathing and rot it out and also causes mold to develop on the interior walls. Cold air in the attic space will not affect the temperature in the adjacent living spaces if properly insulated.
Prevents ice damming in colder climates.
Heavy snowfall can create ice dams that cause a roof to leak along the eaves. An ice dam forms when snow melts over a house's heated spaces and runs down the roof, only to freeze again over the cold eaves. This ice builds up along the eaves and traps snow-melt water, which eventually flows under the shingles into the attic and causes serious damage. Also, the heavy weight of the ice that fills the rain gutters can potentially rip off the gutters. The best way to prevent ice damming is through proper attic ventilation which will minimize the thaw/freeze cycle.
Models
  
Accessories
Natural Light Thermal Snap Switch
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The thermal snap switch is designed to turn on the Natural Light solar attic fan when the temperature in the attic reaches approximately 80° F. It will turn off the motor when the temperature in the attic reaches 70° F.
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Optional Remote Mount Solar Panel
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Natural Light offers a special order remote solar panel which is installed away from the attic fan housing. It is used in applications where there is limited sunshine where the unit has been installed. The remote panel is installed in a sunny area, capturing maximum amount of sunlight and therefore achieving optimal attic fan performance. |
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