Improve Your Home's Climate Control with an Attic Fan
admin • December 18, 2017

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People use their attics for all kinds of things, mostly storage. Where else are you going to store all those possibly haunted dolls you found at that garage sale? What a lot of people don’t think about, though, is how their attic affects the rest of their home. And no, we don’t just mean those weird noises you keep hearing up there in the middle of the night. The attic is actually capable of dramatically affecting your home’s climate control, and your own comfort levels. Read on to find out how an attic fan can help improve things for you.

Why Do You Need an Attic Fan?

Under normal circumstances, the attic of a home tends to retain a lot of heat. Since most people don’t have climate control systems that service their attics, they tend to be pretty heavily insulated. This is great during the winter, but during the summer it actually makes it quite a bit harder to cool the home. Heat moves into the home from outside, rises up into the attic, and sits there. This makes it difficult to cool the home, but it also makes the attic itself unbearably hot during the summer. Installing an attic fan is meant to change that.

What an Attic Fan Does

An attic fan is just a basic ventilation fan that is installed in the attic, typically in the roof. During extremely hot weather, the fan can be turned on to help maintain a comfortable temperature in the attic. This helps to eliminate the problem of having the attic become a massive heat sink on hot days. It won’t keep your entire home cool on its own, but it will at least make it easier to spend time in your attic without feeling like you are standing in an oven.

Will An Attic Fan Cause Problems for Heating?

Some people worry that installing an attic fan in their home will actually make it harder to keep their home’s warm during the winter season. While this may intuitively make sense (cutting a large hole in your roof can’t be good for insulation) it’s actually nothing to worry about. When the fan isn’t running, the loss of insulation is minimal. It’s the air movement that is largely responsible for cooling the area, and with the fan off and your heater running that should not be a problem.

So, if you are looking for a way to make your attic more comfortable and energy efficient, an attic fan might be just the thing for you. Make sure you have a professional install and service it for you, though. Construction and electrical work can be quite dangerous if not conducted properly, so it’s best to have a contractor take care of it for you.

Anderson Electric Corp. provides comprehensive attic fan installation services in Nutley, NJ. If you need a new attic fan installed in your home, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We’ll make sure that you get the perfect attic fan for your home’s needs.  

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What’s Included in a Summer Electrical Safety Inspection? Summer in New Jersey means rising temperatures — and rising electrical usage. Between air conditioners, fans, dehumidifiers, EV chargers, and outdoor appliances, your home’s electrical system will be working overtime. That’s why now is the perfect time for a comprehensive electrical safety inspection . At Anderson Electric, we help homeowners prepare for the heat by identifying potential risks, fixing hidden issues, and making sure their system is up to code before the busy season begins. Here’s what’s included — and why it matters. Why Get an Electrical Inspection Before Summer? Even if your lights seem fine and your panel isn’t tripping, your system could be under silent strain. Summer adds demand and environmental exposure (like humidity or storms) that can stress aging wires and overloaded circuits. Benefits of a seasonal inspection include: Preventing outages during peak usage Protecting your family from fire hazards Avoiding costly emergency repairs Ensuring your HVAC and appliances run efficiently 💡 Related: Is Your Electrical System Ready for Summer in NJ? → What We Check During a Summer Electrical Safety Inspection 1. Electrical Panel Evaluation We open your main service panel to: Check breaker condition and labeling Look for signs of overheating, rust, or loose wires Evaluate if your panel is properly sized for your summer load (especially important if you’ve added AC units or EV chargers) If your panel is outdated or underpowered, we’ll recommend options for a safe 200-amp panel upgrade . 🔌 Read: 5 Signs You Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade in NJ → 2. GFCI and Outdoor Outlet Testing GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) outlets are essential outdoors and near water — and they should be tested monthly. We’ll: Test GFCIs for fast, reliable shutoff Inspect weatherproof covers and boxes Look for corrosion or loose connections Faulty GFCIs are one of the most common summer hazards near pools and patios. 💡 See our blog: Outdoor Electrical Safety Tips for Summer → 3. HVAC and Cooling Circuit Review Your air conditioner is likely the biggest electrical draw during summer. We’ll inspect: HVAC circuit wiring Disconnect box Breaker capacity Voltage drops when the system powers on We also look for warning signs like dimming lights or buzzing sounds that could indicate overloaded circuits or failing connections. 4. Surge Protection Assessment We check whether your system has adequate protection from lightning or utility surges — which are common during NJ storms. If not, we may recommend a whole-home surge protector , which is installed directly at your panel to shield your entire system. âš¡ Learn more: Why Surge Protection Is Essential in NJ → 5. Grounding and Bonding Verification Proper grounding is key to protecting people and equipment during faults or surges. We verify: Ground rod connections Neutral and ground separation in subpanels Proper bonding of water/gas lines Missing or faulty grounding is a major safety issue — and often goes unnoticed until there’s a serious problem. 6. Smoke Detector and CO Alarm Checks We test hardwired smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure: Power supply is stable Batteries are functional Units are still within their service life For families spending more time indoors with windows closed and AC running, reliable CO detection is essential. Where We Offer Inspections in New Jersey Anderson Electric proudly serves: Montclair West Orange Livingston Caldwell Verona Bloomfield And surrounding areas Our licensed electricians know local codes, township regulations, and the unique needs of NJ homes. FAQs: Summer Electrical Inspections in NJ How long does an electrical safety inspection take? Most inspections take 60–90 minutes, depending on the size of your home and system complexity. Do I need one every year? We recommend seasonal inspections — especially before summer and winter, when electrical demand peaks. Is an inspection required by law? Not typically, but if you're selling your home or making upgrades (like a new HVAC system), a current inspection may be required for permitting. What if something fails the inspection? We'll provide a clear report with recommendations. You’re not obligated to make upgrades, but we can complete repairs as needed — often the same day. Will this inspection help with insurance? Yes. Many insurers appreciate proof of proactive maintenance and may lower premiums for updated panels or smoke detectors. Keep Cool and Safe This Summer Your family’s comfort and safety shouldn’t be left to chance. Get ahead of potential issues and enjoy a stress-free season with a professional summer electrical inspection from Anderson Electric. 👉 Book Your Electrical Safety Inspection Today →
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