The One True Purpose of a Midwest Attic Fan
It’s not there to look pretty.
If you are lucky enough to have an attic fan in your house, thank the stars. I have been in many homes and think I have only seen 2 or 3 houses where the builders were smart enough to include one. I am grateful that my house is one of those 2 or 3.
What is an attic fan, you ask? An attic fan is a large, strong fan built into the ceiling of your house. It draws:
· Cool air from the basement
· Fresh air from open windows and doors
· Stagnant winter air
The fan pulls that air up, through your attic or duct work, and out. It’s a great way to refresh the air in your house.
In the beginning of my life in this house, the attic fan was used randomly and sporadically.
· Drew forgets to set the timer on a frozen pizza. The house fills with smoke. Turn on the attic fan.
· Preparing Christmas dinner generates enough heat to turn the house into a sauna, turn on the attic fan.
· The dog eats something weird and cannot hold on long enough for you to figure that out until far too late after the fact. The attic fan cannot be turned on fast enough.
Yes, the attic fan appears to serve a plethora of needed air functions. Honestly, though, these air circulation needs can be filled by the saddest and oldest of fans. No, no, the attic fan is in my house to serve one magical purpose at one glorious time of the year.
As I let my dog out this morning and assessed how the day would go weather-wise, I smiled. It is time for the attic fan.
Lilac Days
For a few brief and splendorous days in the Spring bloom the lilacs of the Midwest. The soft, fragrant scent wraps my whole neighborhood in shades of beautiful and purple.
· Mowing your lawn is much nicer on these days as your allergies are not as affected by the cut grass. You are focused on the smell of lilacs.
· Gardening is done with a smile. The white and purple lilac blossoms lift your spirits just as you lift the ground into planting pots.
· Bike rides with the kids last longer. Everyone wants to stay outside soaking in the sweet smelling air.
Of course, these are all outside activities. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the lilac scented outdoor air would fill the inside of your house? The inside of a house which has forgotten what fresh air smells like because the winter lasted so long?
Turning on the attic fan at the right time and for just a few days in the spring fills your entire house with the fresh, mildly sweet scent of lilacs.
· Everything indoors jumps back into sunshine and warmer weather.
· The house and all its occupants no longer huddle under blankets.
· The kids are willing to help with spring cleaning…okay, that one may be a stretch.
So, for the next few magical, lilac scented days, my windows will be flung wide. My attic fan will run non-stop as the house soaks up as much of the lilac freshness of spring it can hold. Lilacs fade quickly. I will savor every breath I take for as long as the lilacs last.
Thank you, attic fan.
