Wooden sheds are often overlooked structures when it comes to moisture control. But with just a simple upgrade, a solar attic fan can help prolong the life of your outdoor storage solutions, and preserve what you store inside.
When we think of ventilation, we normally think of spaces where people spend most of their time. Houses, cottages and office spaces come to mind. Often overlooked is how wooden sheds are notorious moisture magnets. These outdoor storage structures are particularly prone to warping as they are often uninsulated, unsealed and built with untreated wood. Their indoor temperature constantly expands and contracts with the seasons, trapping humidity and hot air inside.
This creates ample conditions for wood to swell, warp and rot. The resulting gaps that occur exacerbate moisture problems by letting rainwater trickle in.Without proper ventilation, this pooled moisture makes your shed a petri dish for mold. According to the CDC, moist environments can also make such indoor spaces an attractive nest for insects, rodents and vermin.
All of this is bad news for homeowners who rely on these sheds to store expensive equipment, food for pets and seasonal items securely.
Weather sealing your shed can ward off some issues with moisture. However, only proper ventilation can permanently solve the problems of heat buildup and rot. Here, homeowners face a unique challenge. In order for any indoor space to be properly ventilated, all of the indoor air must be cycled out at least 6-10 times an hour.
Yet without mechanical help, there is simply no way to achieve this level of airflow. Like homes, some sheds will come with passive vents. These are little more than holes in the wall which rely on differences in indoor and outdoor air pressure to move air.
For outdoor sheds, installing mechanized ventilation solutions like HVAC systems is simply too costly for most homeowners to justify.
So what can homeowners do?
SOLAR ATTIC FANS CAN HELP KEEP YOUR SHEDS STRONG
Solar attic fans have emerged over the past few decades as a game changer for ventilating small outdoor spaces in a cost effective way. Sunlight is all you need to power these devices. This means no messy wires or hefty electrical bills to worry about! They automatically switch on when the air inside gets too humid, hot and moist to help your shed breathe.
This in turn protects your shed from mold growth, and makes the interior more inhospitable to pests. By constantly pushing humid and moist air, these fans keep your sheds dry. protected from the problems with structural warping that come with unventilated moisture.
This constant airflow can also keep your shed’s interior up to 10F (5C) cooler. Some models like the 20W106-FLEX weigh just 8.9lbs (4.03kg) – more than light enough to fit on the roof of most sheds.
In fact, iSolar Solutions has a lineup especially suited for storage sheds and garages. From tiny homes and resort suites to outdoor bathrooms, our solar attic fans have proven themselves across a wide variety of project references.
How Quickly Can I Install A Solar Attic Fan?
The solar attic fans in iSolar Solutions’ lineup are the only retrofit-ready fans on the market. Meaning most models can easily fit into existing vent holes of structures. Even if your shed’s roofline isn’t well suited for a roof-mounted fan, the modular nature of our products makes custom installations a breeze.
You don’t even need to hire an electrician! Most general contractors can handle the job of installing a solar attic fan. Or, if you prefer to install a solar attic fan yourself, detailed installation instructions can be found on our website.
Because we stand behind our products, we offer a 20 year limited warranty on our FLEX line of patented RETROFIT solar attic fans.
For more information on these innovative shed ventilation solutions, reach out to one of our knowledgeable staff and learn more about how a solar attic fan can keep your shed and its contents safe.
