It is not uncommon to see homes ventilated with whirlybirds. They don’t present any issues when it comes to installation and cost isn’t a concern. The problem is, unless the property is small and doesn’t require much in the way of ventilation, you are going to need more than a few whirlybirds to get the job done.
So, whirlybirds could, technically, provide adequate ventilation in your home: But, does that mean they are cost effective? The short answer is, no. Once you get past the initial installation cost, whirlybirds are not likely to provide long term benefits, and here’s why.
Winter Heat Loss
You want a ventilation system that is going to benefit your budget all year round. During the winter, whirlybirds are prone to extract heat from your home. That means you are losing money on energy use in the colder months. If you are interested in energy conservation and efficiency, solar roof exhaust ventilation is the way to go.
Whirlybirds don’t do a good job of keeping a home cool in the summer, either. The system needs a consistent stream of wind to work efficiently. If you live in a hot and dry climate, whirlybirds simply will not function as intended. A thermostatically-controlled Solar Roof Exhaust Vent doesn’t rely on wind to function.
Solar Panel Powered Roof Exhaust
With a solar roof exhaust vent you are getting an installation that uses solar panels to store power, which in turn operates the exhaust fan. Once internal roof temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, the thermostat will kick in. The likelihood is not getting enough sunlight is minimal. However, you can pay a little extra for a unit with a rechargeable battery. This allows for up to four hours additional operation when the solar collector is out of direct sunlight.
The batteries recharge automatically when the solar panels start collecting sunlight. Additionally, this backup feature will only take over when the internal roof temperature has reached the required 25 degrees Celsius. There is really no downside for homeowners living in South Australia where there is no lack of sunlight.
Greater Efficiency
Both types of ventilation system are basically designed to do the same thing. However, the solar roof exhaust vent goes about its work intelligently, whereas the whirlybird is at the mercy of the elements. One of the major selling points of a solar roof exhaust system is the efficiency in removing condensation. The lifespan of your roof will likely benefit from installing the superior system as the risk of moisture damage is greatly reduced.
One solar roof exhaust can vent the same amount of hot air as a dozen whirlybirds. Solar roof exhausts are considerably quieter than whirlybirds. The system will work the same way the entire year and only suffers from in-operation at night. Not that this one issue is likely to cause you any problems as your home will cool naturally once the sun goes down.
Installation location matters when you opt for a solar roof exhaust system. The highest point of the roof is the ideal location for capturing as much precious sunlight as possible. There generally aren’t any bad places to install a solar roof exhaust system, so long as the panels are in direct sunlight. For instance, you wouldn’t install the system on the south facing side where there is limited sunlight.
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