Summer is here, and you need to escape the heat in the comfort of your home. To get ready for the warmer months, you need a reliable cooling system.

However, when it comes to cooling your home, you have options. Which one is right for you: air conditioning or a whole house fan?

Keep reading our AC vs whole house fan guide to learn all the pros and cons of both systems so you can choose the right now for your home this summer.

What Is a Whole House Fan?

First things first: what even are whole house fans? These systems were popular decades ago and have come back as a cost and energy-effective way to cool your home.

The fan is typically placed in your attic, and it works by getting rid of hot air in your home and replacing it with cool air from the outdoors. However, some homeowners are skeptical about how well they work.

They remember the old and noisy attic fans from their grandparent’s home and don’t want to go back to that kind of system. A quiet and effective modern air conditioning makes a lot more sense in their mind.

This is understandable, but today’s whole-house fans aren’t your grandma’s old attic fans. They are quiet, efficient, and effective at cooling your entire home.

Let’s look at how whole-house fans hold up against the AC units we’re used to today.

AC vs Whole House Fan Break Down

First, when it comes to whole house fan vs AC energy usage, the whole house fan is more energy-efficient. It’s an eco-friendly choice that will save money on your energy bill throughout the summer.

If you live in a hot area where your bill spikes from May-August, this could be an amazing option. However, if you live in a particularly sweltering area, you may also need to use ceiling and floor fans to help the cool air circulate.

Whole house fans can cool your home faster than your AC unit, and you don’t have to run it all day. On the other hand, it is dependent on using cool air from the outside, which is usually only available at night during the summer.

One added perk of an AC unit is that it also acts as a humidifier, and it doesn’t need cool air to work properly. An AC unit can also protect the air quality in your home, whereas a whole house fan pulls in the quality from the outdoors.

When it comes to installation and maintenance costs, the whole house fan wins out. It’s easy to upkeep, unlike AC units that come with expensive repairs.

Which System Is Right for You?

If you live in the correct climate, a whole house attic fan is a great alternative to an air condition unit.

If you’re worried about the heat where you live, you can install both systems and get all the advantages. You will still save money because you can turn off your AC unit when you run the fan, and you will always have the AC to fall back on when it gets too hot.

Hopefully, you feel confident about the right option for you after reading this guide to AC vs whole house fan. Whichever option you choose, Design Air Inc. is here to help you. Contact us today for air conditioning and heating services in Riverside, California.