This guide will include an overview of attic fans and the benefits of using solar energy to power your fan. We look at 3 different Amtrak solar products: a 75-watt steel fan, a 50-watt plastic fan, and a 50-watt steel fan. We also explain what to look for when buying a solar fan and the pros and cons of using it in your home.
Amtrak Solar Attic Fan Review: An Overview
When it comes to solar attic fans, some distinguishing features need to be considered: price, durability, size, and wattage.
While the following products are quite similar, the price may be the main factor in deciding which one to buy. For instance, the first product is more powerful in terms of wattage and also has a durable design, but is less competitive in terms of price.
1. Amtrak Solar Powerful 75-Watt Galvanized Steel Solar Attic Fan
The Solar Powerful 75-watt steel solar fan cools and ventilates attic spaces quietly and fast. It has a high-efficiency blade and is easy to install – you can place it in a garage, a greenhouse, or RV to help prevent the build-up of moisture. This reversible push and pull fan are compact with a 14-inch fan housing and a 10-inch fan blade.
Its high torque motor has a sealed ball bearing and thermally protected fan, and it includes extra wire and brackets for extra help.
One of the most appealing features is the 25-year warranty that comes with Amtrak products, which is often a sign of great quality.
This 75-watts fan provides enough power to run and perform optimally. The high-quality crystalline solar panel can be installed in the gable vent or elsewhere in your attic and is a 12 volt DC-powered fan. Being able to install it in the gable vent will prevent you from drilling holes in the roof.
As long as there’s sunlight hitting the solar panel, the fan keeps running, creating air circulation and ventilation. Another key benefit of this model is that you can install it easily yourself, without the need to hire an electrician or request any permit.
Product specifications
- Weight: 20.8 pounds
- Size: 75 watt
- Power source: DC Solar
- Voltage: 12 volts
- Fan Wattage: 75 watts
- Product dimensions: 33.2 x 26.6 x 6.5 inches
Pros
- Mounting brackets included
- Eco friendly
- Sufficient wattage (75-watts) to operate optimally
- Ease of installation
- Installation instructions included
- Compact
- 25-year warranty
- Can be installed in the gable vent
- Operates quietly
- High-efficiency blade
- Extra wire included
- Made in the USA
- High-performance DC motor
- Maintenance-free
- Portable fan
Cons
- May not work in cloudy conditions
- More expensive than other models
2. Amtrak Solar Powerful 50-Watt Solar Attic Fan
This Solar Powerful 50-watt solar attic fan model is versatile and can be applied in your home, garage, attic, greenhouse, shed, cabin, RV, or even your chicken house. If you plan to install it in your attic, then it will fit in the gable vent as well.
It’s easy to install with quick-connect wires and can be done without the help of an electrician. The kit includes 4 mounting tabs, 4 mounting Z brackets, and installation instructions to guide you through the process. This push and pull fan is easily reversible and has high-efficiency fan blades that help minimize noise levels.
Amtraks’ products come with a 25-year warranty. It has a thermally protected fan motor and is suitable for areas up to 2250 square feet. In addition, the fan comes with a 50 watt high-quality crystalline solar panel, which creates airflow and ventilation.
Product specifications
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Size: 26.4 x 19.3 x 1.5 inches
- Volts: 12 V
- Fan Wattage: 50 watts
Pros
- 4 Mounting brackets included
- Eco friendly
- Sufficient wattage (50 watts) to operate optimally
- Easy to install
- Installation instructions included
- Compact
- 25-year warranty
- Can be installed in the gable vent
- Operates quietly
- High-efficiency blade
- Extra wire included
- Made in the USA
- High-performance DC motor
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Made from plastic
- Not as powerful as the 75-watt model
- It May not work in cloudy weather
3. Amtrak Solar Powerful 50-Watt Galvanized Steel New Upgraded 14
One of the main differences between this Solar Powerful 50-watt galvanized steel attic fan and the other models is that this one is made from galvanized steel, which is stronger and more durable. It has a compact design, and an upgraded 14-inch housing. The fan blade is made by Revor, a US manufacturer, and is designed for high efficiency.
This solar fan is versatile and can be installed in your home, garden shed, cabin, RV, or basement. It is mainly used to create ventilation and to prevent mildew, mold and moisture.
Amtrak products are made in the USA and come with a reassuring 25-year warranty.
The fan is easy to install and has quick-connect wires. It includes a high torque motor with a sealed ball bearing and thermally protected fan motor. This 12 volt DC fan is configured to work with a solar panel, so it relies on sunlight for charging.
Product specifications
- Dimensions: 27 x 20 x 4 inches
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Volts: 12 V
- Wattage: 50 watts
Pros
- High-efficiency fan blade made by U.S. company Revor
- Fan-made from galvanized steel
- Durable design and durable material
- Compact: 14-inch fan housing
- Larger fan blade compared with the older model
- No running costs, as powered by solar
- 4 Mounting brackets included
- Eco friendly
- Sufficient wattage (50 watts) to operate optimally
- Easy to install
- Installation instructions included
- Compact
- 25-year warranty
- Can be installed in the gable vent
- Operates quietly
- High-efficiency blade
- Extra wire included
- High-performance DC motor
- Maintenance-free
Cons
- Not as powerful as the 75-watt model
- It May not work in cloudy weather
How Do Solar-Powered Attic Fans Work
Being at the top of the house, attics may not get much ventilation. Temperatures can get very hot and humid in summer and cold and damp in winter, which is why having good ventilation throughout the year is very important. It lets moisture build up and warm air escape, improving the home’s air quality.
In the summertime, attics can get very hot and uncomfortable to live in – the air is stale and it can be difficult to breathe. A fan can help circulate air better through the house and keep the attic cool. This also reduces the need for air-conditioning and saves money on energy bills.
During the winter, having a fan in the attic keeps the home warmer because the insulation will be dryer. The moist warm air will rise to the attic, where it will condense against the cold insulation material.
Not ventilating your attic can cause several problems, including buckled roof, rotten wooden furniture, moisture accumulation on your roof insulation.
Getting a fan for your attic can save money and energy in the long run. By getting a solar fan, you can help make your house energy efficient while also having better air quality.
If you have a loft room or bedroom in the attic, then it can get stifling in summer or drip with condensation in winter. Installing a solar or PV fan that runs on the power of the sun, can help push out stale air and pull in the clean fresh air.
Pros and Cons of Solar-Powered Attic Fans
Our Amtrak solar attic fan review includes a list of general pros and cons of solar PV attic fans.
Pros
- Enhances comfort at home: A fan pushes ,out the hot stuffy air from the attic room, enhances ventilation and cools the room in the summer. It can also create a better attic temperature by ventilating the space. In the winter, it lets moist air escape from the room, which reduces condensation.
- Saves money: These solar fans run on solar power, so you save on the cost of electricity. You also save money by regulating the home’s temperature, so you won’t need to use the air conditioner as much during summertime.
- Protects your home: Because moisture and humid air usually travel upwards in the home, attics that are not ventilated can trap moisture and damage your roof or any wooden furniture. A fan can stop mildew and mold from forming in your house, so your roof will not rot.
- Eco-friendly: Solar power is a form of renewable energy that doesn’t involve the emission of greenhouse gases. Solar-powered fans are eco-friendly and can help you in your quest to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Saves energy: If your attic is not ventilated, your house will overheat and you’ll need to spend more on air conditioning and utility bills.
- Optimizes safety: Regular electric fans can sometimes pull harmful gases from your basement through your home. A solar-powered fan in your attic provides good airflow and moves the air around more gently.
Cons
- Not as powerful as some electric fans
- It May not work in cloudy weather
- Can be expensive to buy
What to Consider Before Buying a Solar Fan for Your Attic
There are many features of a solar fan that you should consider before buying. Our Amtrak Solar Attic Fan guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the following qualities:
- Capacity: Check how much power you need and what wattage the fan comes with
- Ease of use: Check if it’s easy to use and maintain
- Material: Check that it’s made from string and durable materials like steel
- Ease of installation: Check if it’s easy to install yourself and if there are guides
- Price: Look at whether it suits your budget
- Durability: Are all components durable? Is a warranty included?
- Customer Reviews: See what other people say about the product and the brand
- Mounting: See if it can be roof-mounted and gable mounted
- Portability: Is it easy to move around?
- Venting capacity: Check how much area it can ventilate
- Warranty period: See how many years of a warranty it includes if any
- Design: See if the design suits your home decor
- Size: See if it will fit into your available space
Final Thoughts on Buying a Solar Fan for Your Attic
Having proper ventilation in your attic can help you save on air conditioning costs and utility bills. Attic ventilation also helps you avoid moisture build-up, mold, and mildew. Amtrak solar sells a range of different solar fans that work by using sunlight on the solar cells to power the fans, so you won’t need a battery and you can save on operating costs. You will not, need electric wiring, which can be a complicated business. Lastly, your fan won’t be affected by power surges. We hope this Amtrak solar attic fan review will help you make the right decision about which solar fan is right for your attic.