Power rooftop fan update
![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e8b42b17ca514151839ea03d351d7e66?s=52&d=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.greenbuildingadvisor.com%2Fapp%2Favatars%2F200x200%2Ft.png&r=g)
May, 2019
I live in North Central Texas. I recently had a new roof installed. On the advice of the roofing company project manager I had 2 roof top power vents installed. The thermostat is located on the fan, way up on the interior of the roof. The roofer set the thermostat to 90 degrees.
I read the article posted on GB, and wondered if there have been any improvements in the technology?
Since I don’t have access to the thermostat to the fans, I have been shutting them off by shutting off the breaker, which means no electricity to 1 room until sunset.
Should I have the roofer set the thermostats to a higher temperature or simply disconnect the fan?
Thank you
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
![](https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/app/themes/greenbuildingadvisor/dist/img/modules/detail-library/thumb1.png)
![](https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/app/themes/greenbuildingadvisor/dist/img/modules/detail-library/thumb2.png)
Replies
Hi Tex -
I am not sure which GBA resource(s) you have read, but the real problem with powered roof vents (even those really energy efficient solar-powered ones) is their tendency to pull interior air as well as exterior air, unless there is a perfect air barrier.
Here is a pretty recent GBA article on power roof vents: https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/article/the-top-two-reasons-powered-attic-ventilators-are-a-waste-of-money.
Peter