Product Installation

Attic Breeze solar attic fans ship completely assembled and ready for installation.  Each one of our solar attic fans are tested before leaving the factory, conforming to our strict quality assurance standards.  When your new solar attic fan arrives, make sure to remove the product from the packaging and inspect for any damage that may have occurred during shipping.  If your solar attic fan was damaged during shipping (other than minor dings on the flashing), do not install the product.  Notify Attic Breeze customer support immediately and we will initiate a damage claim with the shipping carrier.

Next, turn the fan upside down so that you are directly facing the fan blade.  All Attic Breeze roof mounted fans (SFA/SFD/CMA/CMD) are equipped with a wiring harness that is securely taped to the inside of the fan housing for shipping.  Remove the packaging tape and allow the wiring harness to hang freely before installing.  At the end of the wiring harness you will find either a two or four socket plug.  This plug is for use with the control option that was included with your solar attic fan (either Breeze Mate, thermal switch control, or termination plug).  Please note that for safety concerns, YOUR FAN WILL NOT OPERATE UNTIL A CONTROL PLUG IS PLUGGED INTO THE WIRING HARNESS SOCKET.

Plug in your control switch and test your Attic Breeze fan before installation to become familiar with its operation.  The fan unit (or solar panel) should be tested in direct sunlight for maximum performance.  The more direct sunlight the solar panel receives, the faster the Attic Breeze fan will operate.  Please note that our solar powered ventilation products are designed to be extremely quiet, even when operating at high speeds.  Excessive noise during testing or unexpected vibration of the product may indicate damage.  If you believe that your product may be damaged after testing, contact Attic Breeze customer support for assistance before installing.

NOTICE:  Use caution when testing your Attic Breeze solar attic fan.  Keep hands, hair, and loose clothing clear of the fan blade during operation!  Do not allow packaging material to interfere with the fan blade during testing as damage may occur.

Please note that if your Attic Breeze fan is equipped with thermal switch control, the controller will only allow the fan to operate at temperatures roughly above 75°F.  If the outside ambient temperature is below this range, the fan may not immediately operate when you try test it.  Should this happen try warming up the thermal switch by holding it in your hand.  The fan should begin to operate when the thermal switch is heated above its operational temperature range (75°F ± 5°F).

Determining the best location for installation of your new Attic Breeze solar powered ventilation product is a two-step process.  For roof mounted models (SFA/SFD/CMA/CMD), the solar attic fan should be positioned roughly toward the center of the home's roof line and approximately 3-4 feet below ridge.  The idea is to balance the airflow through your attic to achieve a maximum amount of cross-flow ventilation from all air intake sources.  When installing Attic Breeze products in conjunction with ridge vents, the solar attic fan unit should be installed a minimum of 5-7 feet below the ridge vent to allow for balanced air flow through the attic (click here for more information on ridge vents).

Your Attic Breeze solar attic fan should not be installed any closer than 10 feet within an existing passive vent.  Studies show that installation of active ventilation products too close to passive vents may result in short circuiting of airflow, resulting in poor attic cooling performance from your fan.  For best results, block off any passive vents that are too close to your chosen installation location or find an alternative location that will allow for the best balancing of airflow through the attic.

The solar panel on your product should be oriented toward the south and installed in a location that will receive optimum sun exposure throughout the day.  Avoid installing your Attic Breeze solar attic fan in areas that may receive shade during the day or in a location where a shadow may cross the solar panel.  If the best location to install on your roof is in an area like this, consider using an Attic Breeze fan model which features a remote mounted solar panel for better sun exposure.

Proper air intake ventilation is the one of the most important aspects of ensuring a successful installation.  Attic Breeze solar attic fans must be supplied with enough make up air to both minimize airflow resistance through the attic and allow our fans to operate at their optimum performance speeds.   When air intake ventilation is insufficient, our fans are designed to slow down and generate less airflow.  This is a safety feature which minimizes the possibility of attic depressurization, but also results in poor cooling performance.  Before beginning your installation, make sure that your attic has the required amount of air intake ventilation to support our fans.  Please read the "Ventilation Requirements" section of our website to learn more.