How Much Does It Cost To Install A Whole House Fan?
$700
Whole House Fan Costs
Whole house fans are a mostly functional choice for doing ventilation. They remove hot and/or humid air from the living space and force it through the attic and its vents to the exterior. The ventilating action causes fresh outdoor air to be brought into the living space.
You will find that the typical cost of a fully installed average whole house fan will vary by motor characteristics, fan dimension, mounting type, overall finish quality, and the labor rate.
In the following tables the Labor Cost figures are what the able DIY persons should expect to save by performing the complete installation.
Whole house fan: ceiling mount, wall switch, up to 4000 sq.ft. house
| Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24" diameter fan: 4600 CFM, 2 speed wall switch, ceiling grill included. | $220 | each | 1 | $220 |
| Attic Exhaust Louvers: automatic, aluminum, installed on gable roof ends. | $143 | pair | 1 | $143 |
| Timer: for 12 hour operation. | $50 | each | 1 | $50 |
| Material Cost | $413 | each | 1 | $413 |
| + Labor Cost | $149 | each | 1 | $149 |
| Total Cost | $562 | each | 1 | $562 |
Whole house fan: ceiling mount, pull chain switch, up to 5000 sq.ft. house
| Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30" diameter fan: 6000 CFM, ceiling grill included. | $358 | each | 1 | $358 |
| Attic Exhaust Louvers: automatic, aluminum, installed on gable roof ends. | $143 | pair | 1 | $143 |
| Timer: for 12 hour operation. | $50 | each | 1 | $50 |
| Material Cost | $551 | each | 1 | $551 |
| + Labor Cost | $149 | each | 1 | $149 |
| Total Cost | $700 | each | 1 | $700 |
Whole house fan: ceiling mount, remote control, timer, up to 2500 sq.ft. house
| Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Line Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18" diameter fans (tandem): 1600 CFM, insulated winter closure, automatic ceiling grill included. | $506 | each | 1 | $506 |
| Attic Exhaust Louvers: automatic, aluminum, installed on gable roof ends. | $143 | pair | 1 | $143 |
| Material Cost | $649 | each | 1 | $649 |
| + Labor Cost | $165 | each | 1 | $165 |
| Total Cost | $814 | each | 1 | $814 |
Other considerations and costs
- The whole house fan generally helps to reduce summer cooling bills.
- The operating fan breeze provides a cooling sensation of about 7º F on human skin.
- During winter the house fan generally needs to be winterized to reduce air passage.
- Taxes and permit fees are not included in these prices.
- The installer must have the proper electrical and mechanical installations tools.
- The installer must work safely atop a ladder, and be able to make necessary modifications and connections to an appropriate electrical circuit that passes near the fan location.
DIY considerations
- Other situations that require structural modifications of the building, or more extensive installations throughout the building, or new electrical circuitry are much more appropriate for professional service.
References
- Craftsman Estimator Costbook, complete series year 2015.
- Latest prices found on Home Depot and other vendor Web sites.
- Literature review of DIY Web sites.
Enter your zip code to get estimates
Cost by city
- New York, NY$1,124
- Bronx, NY$924
- Brooklyn, NY$770
- Philadelphia, PA$961
- Washington, DC$834
- Atlanta, GA$754
- Miami, FL$686
- Fort Lauderdale, FL$719
- Minneapolis, MN$843
- Chicago, IL$982
- Houston, TX$1,013
- San Antonio, TX$680
- Austin, TX$770
- Denver, CO$651
- Phoenix, AZ$686
- Las Vegas, NV$753
- Los Angeles, CA$849
- San Diego, CA$770
- San Jose, CA$930
- Seattle, WA$681
Local costs have been calculated by accounting for labor and material cost differences across different cities. To get accurate cost estimates, indicate yours: