The concept of the WHF is basic.  Fresh air is drawn from outside through open windows (usually at night) and is blown directly into the attic causing the hot air in your attic to vent outside. This brings down the heat load of the entire house and allows the house to stay cooler during the day.  This means you don’t have to run your AC as much to cool your house down to a comfortable level.  I’ve also used it to warm my house on those days when it is warmer outside than in.  I usually turn mine on at 2 or 3 in the morning.  I’ll get up, go to the bathroom (you probably didn’t need to know that) and check my remote thermometer outside.  More nights than not the temp outside is as cool or cooler than the inside of my house (I set my thermostat at 78), so I crack a couple of windows in my bedroom and turn it on.  Almost immediately I can feel the fan drawing cool air into the house.  I don’t know about you, but I sleep better breathing fresh air rather than recycled.

AirScape http://www.airscapefans.com has three models of fans depending on the square footage of your home. I have the smallest model.  On high it draws 70 watts at 1000 cfm, a lot less than an air conditioner (they average about 3kw an hour).  It was a very simple installation.  It fits into both 16” and 24″ stud bays.  The most technical part of the installation would be installing an outlet for the fan; it has a 6′ cord.  I’m an electrician, so that was not an obstacle for me. The unit is remote controlled, has a 3 yr warranty, and qualifies for a PG&E rebate.  This is just one step in lightening the load on your pocket book and mother earth’s shoulders.

-Tim Douhan

Greener Bakersfield Contributor

Six different flavors still available as of Friday the 6th of February:

ULA Mini Dimmable 23 Watt – replaces 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (2 bulbs per pack)
Greenlite 9 Watt Vanity – replaces 40 Watt incandescent bulbs (4 bulbs per pack)
Greenlite 7 Watt tradition bulb style – replaces 40 Watt incandescent bulbs (4 bulbs per pack)
Greenlite 23 Watt – replaces 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (4 bulbs per pack)
General Electric 15 Watt – replaces 60 Watt incandescent bulbs (3 bulbs per pack)
General Electric 26 Watt – replaces 100 Watt incandescent bulbs (3 bulbs per Pack)

I have also heard from fellow energy saver Jeff that you can find these great deals at various grocery stores every blue moon. Keep your eyes open. I will continue to post when I see the CFL rebates at different stores across Bakersfield. Perhaps we need a CFL rebate alert? At this point I’m buying them just to give out to friends and family. What a great gift!

–Kynan Chambers
www.greenerbakersfield.com
www.greenbakersfield.com