A guy I know came to me with this idea - he built one for his own home. I did some research, and not much exists on the market, but I'm not sure it's enough to build a solid business around (or, potentially, license the idea).
The problem: Whole House fans offer little to no R-value (i.e. no insulation). However, whole house fans do wonders for cooling your house. Your attic and its insulation is a big factor in our cold or warm your house stays. Smud/PGE does NOT give any sort of credits when buying a whole house fan because of the lack of R-Value.
The Solution: An insulated box, in the attic, surrounding the whole-house-fan. The box has flaps, which open due to the forced induction of the whole house fan (made of foam). There are no mechanical hinges or motors to break. The hinges are made out of a non-conducting material. When the fan is shut off, the doors close automatically sealing off the attic. There is a stop to prevent the doors from opening too wide, and not shutting on their own. They can be retrofitted for existing fans, and can be sold with new fans.
I've attached photos, but they're very rough mock ups of a working product. Perhaps, with some persuasion, SMUD and PG&E would give energy/tax credits for those who install the boxes. The closest things I could find on the market are really expensive, small whole house fans with motorized, insulated doors. The product here is relatively cheap. Prototype is built, and it works. Thoughts? Bad idea? Something to investigate further, and test the market?
The problem: Whole House fans offer little to no R-value (i.e. no insulation). However, whole house fans do wonders for cooling your house. Your attic and its insulation is a big factor in our cold or warm your house stays. Smud/PGE does NOT give any sort of credits when buying a whole house fan because of the lack of R-Value.
The Solution: An insulated box, in the attic, surrounding the whole-house-fan. The box has flaps, which open due to the forced induction of the whole house fan (made of foam). There are no mechanical hinges or motors to break. The hinges are made out of a non-conducting material. When the fan is shut off, the doors close automatically sealing off the attic. There is a stop to prevent the doors from opening too wide, and not shutting on their own. They can be retrofitted for existing fans, and can be sold with new fans.
I've attached photos, but they're very rough mock ups of a working product. Perhaps, with some persuasion, SMUD and PG&E would give energy/tax credits for those who install the boxes. The closest things I could find on the market are really expensive, small whole house fans with motorized, insulated doors. The product here is relatively cheap. Prototype is built, and it works. Thoughts? Bad idea? Something to investigate further, and test the market?
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