Selecting a System
Designing Your QuietCool System
There a few considerations that go into selecting a QuietCool system. Some of them will be specific to your home. We’ve listed an outline of the general factors to help you understand the process of selecting the best QuietCool system for your home.
Zoned or Central?
The first task is to determine the number of fans that you will need based on your lifestyle and layout.
Central (single-fan) system
A centrally installed system is one large fan installed in the top and central location in the home. This is usually the center of a single story, or at the top of the stairs in a two-story home. A single QuietCool system is strong enough to nicely ventilate an average home, and is a good choice for smaller households or homeowners on a budget.
Zoned (Multi-fan) system
A multi-fan zoned system gives the homeowner maximum control over their ventilation and cooling needs. When sizing a zoned system, the combined CFM of all zoned units (not each individual fan) needs to match or exceed the total CFM requirements. All zoned fans can be turned on simultaneously when the entire home needs to be cooled, but a zoned system also allows individual area control. For example,if you’re going to bed at night, rather then running the central system, turn on the bedroom unit only. Consider when selecting a zoned layout, that with bedroom units, the ability to close the door to a bedroom and ventilate that space specifically is very useful.– And in multi family homes essential!
Layout Considerations
While a square shaped living space usually has only a single fan, L-shaped or large rooms with multiple living areas can benefit from multiple smaller fans.
Sizing Formula
To determine the size of the fans you will need, calculate the square footage of your rooms and multiply by the height of the ceiling. This is the volume of your home. Hawaii systems are sized for a complete air exchange of that volume in 2-3 minutes or less.
Attic Venting
Each fan needs 1 square foot of net free venting per 750 CFM. (A 4500 CFM system would need 6 square feet of venting). The attic venting you choose will be specific to your home and roof type. Homeowners can increase their venting by adding gable, ridge, roof top or soffit vents.
