A Whole House Fan Company
A Whole House Fan Company
A modern whole house fan drops in between your ceiling joists, hangs in the attic and plugs into an outlet. Here is the whole job, in order, with the tools and the checks that matter.
To install a whole house fan, pick a spot in a top floor hallway ceiling with about 30 inches of clearance above it, cut the ceiling opening between two joists, hang the fan in the attic, connect the flexible duct and damper box, plug it into an attic outlet, and screw the grille to the ceiling. CentricAir says a typical do it yourself install of its fans takes about 90 minutes with no framing in most homes. Plan the job for the morning, when the attic is cooler. Check your attic vent area before you buy: each CentricAir model lists 1.75 to 5.5 square feet of net free vent area.
Older whole house fans meant cutting a big square in the ceiling, framing it out and setting a heavy fan right in the opening. Most fans sold today work differently. The motor hangs in the attic and connects to a damper box in the ceiling with flexible duct, so the opening fits between standard joists. This guide follows CentricAir’s own installation video, step by step.
A spot between joists in a central hallway, enough attic vent area, an attic outlet, and a short list of hand tools.
| Model | Rough opening | Joist spacing | Attic vent needed | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CentricAir 1.5 | 14 x 14 in. | 16 in. on center | 1.75 sq ft | 35 lb |
| CentricAir 2.0 | 14 x 20 in. | 16 in. on center | 2.5 sq ft | 40 lb |
| CentricAir 2.7 | 14 x 24 in. | 16 in. on center | 3.25 sq ft | 48 lb |
| CentricAir 3.4 | 14 x 26 in. | 16 in. on center | 4.0 sq ft | 52 lb |
| CentricAir 4.0 and 4.0 ECM | 14 x 28 in. | 16 or 24 in. on center | 5.25 sq ft (4.0), 5.5 sq ft (ECM) | 64 lb |
From the specifications tab on each CentricAir model page, September 30, 2026.
Eight steps, from CentricAir’s installation video.
The damper box is the part that seals the ceiling when the fan is off. This short video shows how it goes together.
Not for a CentricAir fan in most homes.
CentricAir says its systems need no framing as long as your attic joists are typical, 16 to 24 inches on center. You cut the ceiling, install the diffuser with a few screws, connect the duct and support the fan in the attic. Older direct mount fans that sit in the ceiling opening are a different job and often do require framing.
Only if there is no outlet near the fan.
CentricAir’s whole house fans plug into a standard household outlet, so no new wiring is needed when an outlet is close by. Choosing a remote control instead of a wall switch also avoids cutting into a wall to run switch wiring. If your attic has no outlet, have an electrician add one, and check whether your city requires a permit.
If you are comfortable in an attic with a drill and a drywall saw, it is a reasonable do it yourself job. If not, hire it out.
CentricAir says most do it yourselfers, handymen and contractors have no trouble with its fans. The hardest parts are physical: working in a hot attic, lifting a 35 to 64 pound fan, and getting the cut right. For professional help, see our installer directory and our installation cost guide.
Before the first run: open windows, and close any fireplace damper. CentricAir’s operating instructions call for both, every time.
Match your square footage to a CentricAir model, then check its vent area.
More videos from the CentricAir YouTube channel. Click any video to play it right here, or subscribe for new installs, tips and product walkthroughs.
CentricAir says a typical do it yourself installation of its fans takes about 90 minutes, with no framing needed in most attics.
Not for a CentricAir fan in a typical attic. The models fit between joists set 16 inches on center, and the 4.0 models also fit 24 inch spacing. CentricAir’s video calls for at least 14 1/4 inches between joists.
CentricAir fans plug into a standard household outlet in the attic. If there is no outlet near the fan location, an electrician can add one.
A central hallway ceiling on the top floor, so air can flow toward it from rooms on every side. CentricAir’s video calls for about 30 inches of clearance above that spot in the attic.
CentricAir offers a vertical wall mount adapter for wall installations with the backdraft damper. The cold weather damper does not need the adapter.