How to cool down open plan living/kitchen that has a flat roof?

[icheong]

Hi Community,

I have a split level home where the top most level is the kitchen, living room and dining in an open plan configuration.

This space is an extension and a flat metal roof was used for this area.

This flat roof does have solar panels covering about 60% of the area.

I have looked around for ventilation fans but I cannot find a solution for a flat roof like this as it has no roof cavity.

Is it possible to install something like this 

https://www.diytradetech.com.au/solar-roof-ventilation/solar-roof-ventilation-fan-320mm-v2-6/

Thanks in advance.

[EricL]

Hello @icheong 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us and thanks for sharing your question about cooling your living room and kitchen.

It’s absolutely possible to install a solar roof ventilation fan/roof, even without a roof cavity. I propose looking at the QuietCool 40-Watt Black Solar Roof Mount Attic Fan

These solar-powered fans are designed to work in various types of roofs, including flat ones, as long as they are properly installed and sealed to prevent leaks.

Since your roof is covered with solar panels over a significant area, you’ll need to carefully plan the placement of the fan to avoid shading or obstructing the panels. 

Before installation, it’s a good idea to double-check your roof’s pitch and material with the product specifications to confirm compatibility. If you’re unsure about cutting into your roof or sealing the fan correctly, it might be worth consulting a professional roofer to ensure proper installation and to avoid any potential water ingress.

Adding a fan like this should help improve ventilation in your kitchen, living, and dining area, especially on hot days. It’s a great way to keep the space cooler and reduce the load on your air conditioning!

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[icheong]

Hi @EricL 

Thank you for the advice. I'm curious to know if I installed this fan on this component would be what's external however, what goes on the inside ceiling? Would it directly connect to a vent on the inside ceiling so that the air inside the room area gets drawn out? This is the part I haven't been able to find documentation on around about.

Ian

[JacobZ]

Hi @icheong,

As I'm sure you've found in your own research, there isn't much information about roof vents where there is no ceiling cavity.

The QuietCool 40 Watt Black Solar Roof Mount Attic Fan that @EricL has mentioned unfortunately doesn't mention a method where it can be installed where no ceiling cavity is present, but I imagine vents like this can still be used although the inner workings of the vent could be seen from the underside, which might not be the most aesthetically pleasing thing. 

When installing products like this where the specific situation you are installing them in isn't mentioned, it is usually best to contact their technical support team for their recommendations. I'd be happy to contact our suppliers for their advice when they reopen on Monday.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[icheong]

Hi @JacobZ ,

Yes this is the point I get up to in my own research where I get stuck at.

Yes please, if you could contact your suppliers for their advice that would help a lot as I'm not entirely confident with the construction terminology sometimes.

Let me know if I should provide any specific details that might help with that conversation with the suppliers.

Very much appreciated.

Ian

[MitchellMc]

Hi @icheong,

There is no supplier-supplied solution to your issue, and you'd need to come up with your own solution or employ someone to do so for you. There's a wide range of internal ceiling vents that can be used to cover the bottom of the attic fan.

Mitchell

[icheong]

Thanks @MitchellMc 

So from here, I need to ask about the detailed setup and possibility of this.

If at the top of the roof I install a solar fan (as described in EricL's comment) that would mean making a hole on the metal roof externally to fit the solar fan, wire it up electronically (if required) and seal the edges so it is weather proof. There is physically still gaps for the air to escape.

Internally, I create a hole in the ceiling to match and place an internal vent as (as described in MitchellMc's comment).

As there is physically still a gap within the products used and then a hole from the ceiling to the roof, what is the risk of water ingress from either strong rains or a roof cleaner hosing the roof down? Will water be able to move through the gaps of the Solar fan through to the gaps in the internal ceiling vent and end up in the house? 

Sorry if this seems ignorant on my part, I am really not familiar with how to ensure that a solution like this is not going to be "correct" in all aspects of building and construction. I just don't want to take a chance and end up making a huge mess out of it.

If this is not the right forum for it, what type of professional should I be consulting about it?

Thanks for your patience so far.

Ian

[EricL]

Hello @icheong 

If the unit's installation is done by professionals, there is no reason it should leak. I propose getting a quote and asking for references if you are getting trades people to do this for you. What is the risk of water ingress? It's very unlikely especially if a professional installs the fan for you. In regards to the gap, the unit has been designed with a high neck thereby preventing the entry of water from the outside.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric