AirScape ventura 2.7 User manual

Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 1
®
VENTURA 2.7
WHOLE HOUSE FAN
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION MANUAL
Thank you for purchasing a Ventura™whole house fan by AirScape®.This fan has been designed to
provide many years of natural, quiet, and energy-efcient cooling.
Please take a few minutes to read over this manual and its accompanying documents to make sure you
are prepared to install the fan. In particular:
• The homeowner/resident should read the WHERE TO LOCATE section so that the fan will be correctly
located to maximize its effectiveness and efciency.
• The VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS section is also particularly important, as it describes the minimum
attic ventilation neccessary to operate the fan.
• The INSTALLATION: BACKDRAFT DAMPER section contains important information regarding the con-
straints within which this fan’s backdraft damper must be installed.
Before installing this fan, inspect it and all of its parts for any damage it may have sustained during ship-
ping. DO NOT INSTALL DAMAGED EQUIPMENT. If you suspect this fan has been damaged during
shipping, contact AirScape technical support by phone at 1.866.448.4187, or email at experts@airscape-
fans.com.
Whole House Fans are designed to be installed within a home’s attic, which makes them and their sub-
components extremely difcult to access once installed. TEST THIS FAN OUTSIDE OF THE ATTIC
BEFORE INSTALLING IT PERMANENTLY.
ORDER #:
S/N:
MAC:
(Required for Warranty)

SUPPLIES INCLUDED IN THE BOX
Prior to beginning installation, please verify all of the following items were recieved with the fan:
• Fan assembly
• Chain (25 ft.)
• Duct tape (30 ft.)
• 7 ft. of acoustic ex duct (20” diameter)
• Backdraft Damper; Backdraft Damper Transition Cone; and, ¼” Phillips head screws (12)
• White cube core grille & White phillips head screws (8)
• Wood screws (8)
• Self-tapping sheet metal screws (4)
• S-Hooks (4)
• Control Package, including: Control box; Hardwired Wall Switch with Mounting Bracket; Red CAT-
5 cable (50 ft.); and, Strain Relief kit
Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 2
SAFETY INFORMATION
• Never operate this fan without a window or door opened
• This fan is meant for general ventilation. IthasNOTbeendesignedtoventilateparticle
ladenand/orexplosivemixturesofairandmustNOTbeusedforsuch.
• This fan is NOT for use in kitchens
• Before installing or servicing this fan, switch power off at the home’s electrical panel to reduce
theriskofdamagingcircuitboards,re,electricalshock,orinjury.
• Install this fan in accordance with this manual and all local codes and standards.
Some of the principles of this product’s safe installation and operation
are not immediately obvious. Read the following safety information before
continuing further:
In addition to the included items listed above, the following tools and supplies are required to install the fan
but have NOT been included:
• Phillips head screw driver
• Scissors or Knife
• Pliers
• Drywall Cutter
• Cordless screwdriver with Phillips head and miscellaneous drill bits
• High quality latex caulk
• Lumber matching dimensions of the attic joists (e.g. 2”x6”, 2”x8”, etc.) and cut to t according to
the INSTALLATION: FRAMING section.
• At least 4 additional wood screws.
• A Ladder
REQUIRED TOOLS & SUPPLIES NOT INCLUDED

Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2015. All Rights Reserved.
Page 3
UNIT PARTS AND DIMENSIONS
Fan Assembly Backdraft Damper*
Flex Duct
ELECTRICAL REQUIREMENTS
This fan requires a 110 volt, 9 amp uninterrupted electricity supply. We strongly recommend
providing a dedicated circuit for this fan.
This fan has a single, factory-installed, 20ft. power cord that originates at fan assembly, travels 10 ft. to the
control box, and then another 10 ft. to the plug. Consider these lengths when choosing a location for this
fan. Depending on the location of existing outlets in the attic, the installation of an additional outlet may be
required. Consult an electrician if necessary.
All wiring and connections must be made according to this manual and acceptable wiring standards. All
local codes must be followed.
ThegravitybackdraftdamperprovidedwiththisVentura2.7unitdoesnotpro-
vide an airtight seal or insulated barrier between the living space and attic. It
isthehomeowner’sresponsibilitytoensuretheunitissealedand/orinsulated
during the winter.
BACKDRAFT DAMPER INFORMATION
*BackdraftDampershownwithTransitionConeattached

It is critical the attic be sufciently ventilated for this fan to operate properly. Without adequate ventilation,
hot air exhausted from the home cannot easily escape the attic, which creates a back-pressure that will
substantially reduce the fan’s performance. Operating this fan in an attic with less net free ventilation area
than recommended will decrease its airow and energy efciency.
We recommend a minimum of 1 square feet of “net free” ventilation area per 500 cfm at a fan’s highest
speed. Therefore, this Ventura 2.7 whole house fan requires at least 6 square feet of net free ven-
tilation area for proper operation.
Net free ventilation area can be provided by any combination of gable, eyebrow, roof cap, soft, or ridge
vents, or any other method of ventilating the attic space. The openings of most vents are partially obstruct-
ed by grilles, louvers, and/or screens. A vent’s “net free” ventilation area is the surface area of its opening
minus the surface area of any grilles, louvers, or screening covering it. Different types of vents have differ-
ent ratios of net free area to total area.
While in our experience most properly constructed homes have adequately ventilated attics, not all do.
Because sufcient ventilation is so critical to this fan’s performance, it is important that the home’s existing
ventilation be veried before it is installed.
Manufacturers typically publish their vents’ net free ventilation areas and/or ratios in their products’ speci-
cation documents. If this information is unavailable, a ratio of 50% net free area to total area is usually a
good rule of thumb. A notable exception to this rule of thumb are ridge vents. The industry standard net
free ventilation area for ridge vents is 13% of the vent’s length in feet.
Since most attics have multiple vents, often of different types, it is necessary to count each vent, noting its
type and size. Apply the appropriate ratio to the dimensions of each vent to nd its net free area, and sum
these values to nd the attic’s total ventilation. An example of how these calculations are made is given in
the table below:
Vent Type Dimensions Total Area
Net Free Area
Ratio (“NFA”)
Net Free Ventilation Area
(=Total Area x NFA)
Louver 24” x 24” 24” x 24” / 144
= 4 ft.250% 4 ft.2x .50 = 0.89 ft.2
Ridge 10 feet n/a 13% 10 feet x .13 = 1.33 ft.2
Round Soft 10” diameter 3.14 x 5” x 5” / 144
= .55 ft.250% .55 ft.2 x .50 = 0.28 ft.2
Total Net Free Ventilation Area: 1.57 ft.2
You can also use AirScape’s online Attic Venting Calculator to assist you in determining your attic venting.
This calculator is located at http://www.airscapefans.com/system-builder/attic-vent.php.
Please consult a roong professional if the attic’s net free ventilation area remains uncertain.
VENTILATIONREQUIREMENTS
Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2015. All Rights Reserved.
Page 4

The best location for this fan is dictated by its theory of operation: As a home heats up during the day,
a large amount of heat is retained in its structure and contents. These materials give up their heat slowly
and, in doing so, continue to heat the home’s interior even though the outdoor temperature may, in fact,
be very comfortable in the evening and at night. Thus, homeowners are forced to either endure the hot
conditions inside of their homes or turn on their air conditioners and bear the expense thereof.
When operated properly, this whole house fan can resolve this dilemma by forcing the hot air inside a
home out and drawing cool air from outside in. The illustration below depicts how this fan exhausts hot
into the attic and draws cool air into the house from outdoors:
By running this fan through the night, homeowners can extract the maximum possible amount of heat from
their home’s structure and contents. This essentially “pre-cools” the home ahead of the next day’s rise in
temperature, which can reduce or even eliminate the need for air conditioning. This Ventura fan has been
designed specically for quiet and efcient operation. As such, we strongly recommend homeowners run
this fan through the night to reduce their energy expenses.
With the above theory of operation in mind, adhere to the following guidelines when choosing a location for
this fan:
• Locate this fan in a central location, away from windows that will be opened during its operation. In-
stalling this fan centrally promotes an even replacement of air throughout the home, and the longer the
path air travels from an open window to the fan, the greater the cooling effect.
• The damper provided with this fan can only be installed in a horizontal orientation, thereby requiring the
unit to be installed in the ceiling.
• Locate this fan at the highest point possible. This exploits natural convection and helps the fan exhaust
the hottest indoor air from the home.
• Typically, the ideal location for this fan in a two-story home is in the open area at the top of the stairs.
• Avoid locating this fan in a narrow space or over hard ooring as sound reecting off of hard surfaces
can amplify its percieved noise.
• Even though this fan is extremely quiet, we specically recommend against installing it in a bedroom as
humans’ perception of noise is far greater when the surrounding environment is quiet (such as within a
bedroom at night).
• Within the attic, locating the fan near an electrical outlet or power supply can minimize the need for ad-
ditional electrical work.
Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2015. All Rights Reserved.
Page 5
WHERE TO LOCATE THIS FAN

Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 6
INSTALLATION: FRAMING
The rst step in installing this fan is to build a simple “box” between the framing in the ceiling and to cre-
ate an opening into the attic. This fan’s backdraft damper has been designed to t within a 22½” x 26½”
ceiling opening. Most modern homes have been constructed with either 24” or 16” on-center (i.e. O/C)
spaced joists or studs. This step varies slightly depending on whether the home’s framing is either 24” or
16” O/C.
For 24” O/C Framing:
Using appropriately sized lumber (e.g. 2”x4”, 2”x”6, etc.), install
two 22½” long cross peices between the existing framing, creating
a box with interior dimensions of 22½” x 26½”. Figure 1 at right
shows the framing and cross peices as they should be installed.
From below, cut out the drywall inside the framed box to create
an opening to the attic. To know where to cut, use a stud nder to
locate the studs from below or drill pilot holes from above.
For 16” O/C Framing:
Using appropriately sized lumber (e.g. 2”x4”, 2”x”6, etc.), install
four 14½” long and one 26½” long cross peices between the ex-
isting framing, as shown below in Figure 2a.
Next, use lumber to construct a second frame with interior dimensions of 22½” x 26½”. As shown below
in Figure 2b, mount this new frame on top of the frame created within the joists.
From below, cut out the drywall inside the framed box to create an opening to the attic. To know where to
cut, use a stud nder to locate the studs from below or drill pilot holes from above.
In this conguration, a notch will need to be cut in the Grille in order to accomodate the center joist running
accross the opening. Procedures for this step are included in the INSTALLATION: GRILLE section of this
manual. The center joist across the opening will not signicantly disturb the ow of air to the fan.
Figure 1
Figure 2a Figure 2b

Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 7
INSTALLATION: BACKDRAFT DAMPER
The next step in this fan’s installation is to install the backdraft damper within the “box” that was built in the
previous step.
However, before proceeding further, please make sure to pass the fan assembly and ductwork
through the opening created in the previous step and into the attic. These items have been de-
signed to t through this opening. Since they may not t through the attic’s crawl hole, they must be in the
attic before proceeding further.
Once in the attic, attach the backdraft damper transition cone to
the backdraft damper itself. Using the 12 provided ¼” phillips head
damper screws, secure the cone to the damper at each of the 12
brackets around the circular rim of the damper and pilot holes in the
cone (shown in Figure 3 at right).
Lower the backdraft damper into the framed “box” previously con-
structed, resting it on the joists using the mounting brackets shown
at right in Figure 4. Fasten the damper box to the joists using wood
screws through the pilot holes on mounting brackets.
Then, return to the living space. Further secure the damper box to the
joists with wood screws through the four pilot holes in the body of the
damper box.
Backdraft Damper Orientation Note
The ideal orientation of unit’s backdraft damper is level within the
framing. If necessary, however, the damper can be installed at a
slight angle within the following constraints:
As shown in Figure 5 at right, the damper has two distinct axes: The
“Y” axis about which its doors open; and the “X” axis perpendicular
thereto.
As shown in Figures 6a and 6b on the next page, the damper can be
installed with the “Y” axis at a slight angle. However, this angle must
NOT exceed 45° (as shown in Figure 6c).
The “X” axis must NEVER be installed at any angle (as shown in
gures 7a and 7b). Installing the backdraft damper outside of these
constraints will prevent its doors from closing properly!
Figure 4
Securedamperboxtoframingusing
woodscrewsatthemountingbrackets
andpilotholes
Figure 3
Figure 5
Attachthetransitionconetothebackdraft
damperateachbracketandpilotholeus-
ingtheprovided¼”phillipsheadscrews.

Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 8
The next step in this fan’s installation is to hang the fan assembly from the attic’s rafters, and to attach it
to the backdraft damper using the provided ductwork. Figure 8 below shows the fan assembly, ductwork,
and backdraft damper as they should appear when fully installed:
INSTALLATION: FAN & DUCT
Figure 8
Figure 6a Figure 6b Figure 6c
Figure 7a Figure 7b
BEST
ALWAYS NEVER
INSTALLATION: BACKDRAFT DAMPER, cont.
Backdraft Damper Installation Limits:

INSTALLATION: FAN & DUCT, cont.
Figure 9
Fastenductworktodamperusing
hooksandlatches
Figure 10
Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 9
Attach 4 lengths of the provided chain to the the attic’s rafters at four locations using wood screws (NOT
provided) screwed through a chain link.
Attach the 4 provided S-hooks to 4 of the D-rings attached to the fan housing. Hang the fan assembly
from the rafters using these S-hooks and the 4 lengths of chain just installed.
When hanging the fan assembly, adhere to the following guidlines:
• Do not hang the fan using fewer than 4 lengths of chains or eye bolts—all four attachment points are
necessary to support the fan’s weight and to eliminate any swaying motion.
• Ensure that the fan is as level as possible.
• Keep the area in front of the fan as unobstructed as possible: At the least, the nearest object obstruct-
ing the path of fan’s exhaust airow can be no closer than 24” to the face of the fan.
Next, slide one end of the exible ductwork over the backdraft
damper’s transition cone and secure it thereto using the hooks on
the ductwork’s collar, and the latches on the cone, as shown at right
in Figure 9.
If needed, the transition collar can be rotated to better align the
hooks and latches. Simply unscrew the screws securing the cone to
the damper (highlighted in Figure 3 on the previous page), rotate the
cone, and reattach it to the damper using the screws.
Gently bend the ductwork to a 90  angle and slide the free end over
the fan assembly’s collar and fasten it thereto using the 4 provided
self-tapping sheet metal screws and the pilot holes in the ductwork’s
collar, as shown at right in Figure 10.
Adhere to the following guidelines when attaching the ductwork to
the backdraft damper and fan assembly:
• Make sure to maintain the full diameter of the ductwork through
the bend; this provides adequate airow and helps minimize
noise.
• Avoid sharp bends in the ductwork or contact with metal xtures,
pipes, or conduits.
• The section of ductwork immediately before the fan should be as
straight as possible.
• The ductwork can be supported under the bend using extra
chain wrapped with a protective material (e.g. carpet).
Once the fan assembly is balanced and secure, use pliers to close all
of the S-hooks to ensure stability, and tape down all unused D-rings
to avoid excess rattling.
Lastly, use the provided foil tape to seal the joints between the fan assembly and ductwork, the ductwork
and the transition cone, and the transition cone and backdraft damper.

The nal step in this fan’s installation is to install its controls. The standard control package included with
this fan contains: the control box; 1 hardwired wall switch; 1 mounting bracket for the wired switch; and,
50 ft. of red CAT5 cable.
First, locate the control box. The control box is an 12.375” x 5.5” x 2.0” galvanized steel electrical box. It is
connected to the fan assembly and has a series of 5 RJ45 ports on one side. These ports are labeled with
the following label:
Mount this control box to a stud near the damper box at each of the mounting holes using the 4 remaining
provided wood screws.
Connect the red CAT5 cable to the red W/S port. Then, run the cable through the attic and down a wall
to the desired location for the hardwired wall switch. This cable is unshielded: Do not run it parallel to
110V or greater wiring.
Ventura 2.7 Whole House Fan Installation Manual, 03072016
©AirScape, Inc., 2016. All Rights Reserved.
Page 10
INSTALLATION: GRILLE
The next step in this fan’s installation is to mount the cube core grille over the interior opening in the ceiling
previously created. First, from the living area, use latex caulk to seal all wood-to-wood and wood-to-metal
joints. This ensures that all air drawn into the fan will be from within the living space.
Then, attach the grille to the joists using the 8 provided white head screws. We advise pre-drilling pilot
holes for these screws. If the home’s framing is 16” O/C, use a dremel tool or hacksaw to cut two notches
in the grille’s ange to accomodate the middle stud (Figure 11 below shows this notch).
Figure 11
INSTALLATION: WIRING