Can Attic Fans Cause Fires?

"Most attic fans are put up there and forgotten," says Kenneth Kent, deputy marshal of the Arlington County Fire Department. "They're not inspected for years, and when they malfunction, they can start a fire."

Are attic fans safe?

The potential for hazardous conditions is elevated in homes utilizing power exhaust fans during the summer when gas appliances are on at the same time the fan is on. The negative pressure created by the attic fan causes carbon monoxide to feed back into your home, rather than exhausting up through your chimney.

What is the leading cause of attic fires?

Electrical malfunction is the leading cause of residential building attic fires (43 percent), followed by natural fires (16 percent). A third of all residential building attic fires spread to involve the entire building.