Does a whole house fan need a dedicated circuit

Q: Does a fan need a dedicated circuit?

In general, ceiling fans dont need a dedicated circuit or circuit breaker since they typically do not use more than 1 amp of power. That said, it is important not to overload the circuit. Ceiling fans also cant be on the same circuit as appliances that are fixed in place or require a dedicated circuit.

Attic fans draw super-heated air from attic spaces and vent it to the outside. While attic fans do not have a direct affect on the heat inside living spaces, they do help relieve some strain on air conditioning systems. These fans operate automatically during the heat of the day, providing active air movement inside the attic when the house needs it most. Installation involves cutting holes in the house, placing electrical connections, and doing some heavy lifting.

Table of Contents Show

Mounting the Fan
Electrical Hookups
Safety Considerations
Laundry Room
How many amps does a whole house fan pull?
Does a fan need a dedicated circuit?
What circuit should an attic fan be on?

Fan Type

Decide which type of fan you want for your home. Attic fans mount either on the roof or in one of the gables. The principles of how they work are the same. Both units draw cooler air from outside the attic -- via soffit or other attic vents -- and expel it to the outside through the fan opening. This creates air movement inside the attic space.

Cuts

Roof-mounted attic fans require the removal of roof sheathing and shingles by cutting through them with a power saw. Gable-mounted fans typically need minor expansion of the existing opening if a gable vent is already in place. If no vent exists, you must cut through siding and wall sheathing to create the necessary opening.

Mounting the Fan

Roof-mounted fans come with a base made of either plastic or sheet metal. The base sits on top of the roof and acts as both a mounting plate and roof flashing. Once the fan is in place, you can cover the base with roofing material as you would with any flashing. Gable-mounted fans need a solid base, usually made from plywood, with a cutout for the fan. The plywood attaches to studs in the attic, and the fan attaches to the plywood. Some gable-mounted units come with a pre-fabricated metal base.

Electrical Hookups

An attic fan will typically need 4 to 5 amps of service. A standard 15-amp home circuit can handle up to 10 electrical boxes that service a light or electrical outlet. Homes with a 20-amp circuit can handle up to 13 boxes. If an existing circuit nearby cannot handle the added load of an attic fan, you may need to run a new 15-amp circuit to the space. The fan will also require electrical connections to power it and the thermostat to control when the fan runs. If you are unfamiliar with making electrical connections or running circuits, contact an electrician.

Safety Considerations

Your attic fan should have a firestat as a part of its construction. This device shuts down an operating attic fan if it detects extremely high temperatures. This is a safety consideration in the event of a fire. Should the attic fan continue to operate during a fire, it could create a draft that would cause the blaze to spread quickly.

November 19, 2020

Modern technology puts a much greater burden on our home’s electrical systems than they were initially built to accommodate. One way to work around this electrical system flaw, without completely replacing your system is by adding dedicated circuits to handle your appliances that draw the most electricity.

We’ll take you through your home room by room and explain which appliances and devices could benefit from having a dedicated circuit. Not only will this make life more convenient for you, but it will also limit safety hazards and potential fires.

Kitchen

The kitchen uses up a lot of electricity, from the large appliances to the small countertop ones. So which ones need a dedicated circuit of their own?

We recommend installing dedicated circuits for the following:

Electric oven, stove, or range
Refrigerator
Dishwasher

Laundry Room

Your laundry room is home to two major appliances, your washing machine, and dryer. We would highly recommend installing a dedicated circuit for these appliances because they do draw so much electricity when in use.

If you use other appliances in the laundry room as well, such as an iron or steamer, we would recommend setting up an additional circuit to handle their electricity needs.

Garage

Your garage is home to all sorts of odd objects and tools, some of which use a lot of power and some of which use no power at all.

If you use any of these appliances or tools, we recommend you give them their own circuit breaker:

Stand-alone freezer or chest freezer
Large air compressor
Power saw, drill, and other power tools
Sump pump
Central air conditioning unit
Water heater

If you’re ever unsure about how much your current circuit breakers can handle, contact the professionals at Ostrom Electrical Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning at (540) 253-1559! We are here to help you live comfortably knowing your home’s electrical system is safe!

How many amps does a whole house fan pull?

The wiring… These fans use 120 volts and about 10 amps for the bigger ones.

Does a fan need a dedicated circuit?

In general, ceiling fans don't need a dedicated circuit or circuit breaker since they typically do not use more than 1 amp of power. That said, it is important not to overload the circuit. Ceiling fans also can't be on the same circuit as appliances that are fixed in place or require a dedicated circuit.

What circuit should an attic fan be on?

An attic fan will typically need 4 to 5 amps of service. A standard 15-amp home circuit can handle up to 10 electrical boxes that service a light or electrical outlet. Homes with a 20-amp circuit can handle up to 13 boxes.