Controlling a two-speed whole house fan

[Sachelis]

Background: I have an ISY 994i and use Insteon devices to control my lights and furnaces. I use the Universal Devices Portal to control these devices via Alexa.

I want to install a whole house fan (QuietCool ES-5400) and control it via the UD Console and Alexa. Initially I thought I’d simply use a Insteon on/off switch, but then I realized the fan is two-speed and that (according the QuietCool), “multi-speed fans require constant power being supplied to the motorhead.” 

I saw this 5-year-old post, but that is a far more complicated solution that I can handle (I’m a software engineer but worthless as an electrician).

Are there any other options? It would be okay with me if the fan speed was set manually, but I want to be able to turn the fan on/off via console programs.

Thanks!

[Brian H]

Do you have any controls now?

Like their manual wall switch or optional RF control kit?

 

[Sachelis]

48 minutes ago, Brian H said:

Do you have any controls now?

Like their manual wall switch or optional RF control kit?

 

I do not have any controls, yet. I am postponing purchasing the fan until I determine whether I can use it with my 994i.

[MrBill]

13 hours ago, Sachelis said:

 “multi-speed fans require constant power being supplied to the motorhead.”

I started typing one reply then I realized you said the above.... so I googled and found out that they use "IT-36002 QuietCool RF Wireless Control Kit" as the operational controls.   Products that might allow you to control the fan via faking the remote controls are the Bond Bridge and the Broadlink RM4 Pro.   There is a Bond Bridge node server.  I thought there was a Broadlink node server too but I'm not seeing it in the list.  Disclaimer: I didn't research the frequency of the "IT-36002 QuietCool RF Wireless Control Kit" and have no idea if it's compatible... I'm just pointing out possibilities.

[Jimbo.Automates]

Personally I would suggest https://airscapefans.com/ I've had mine for a couple years and it's great.  Ten speed, wireless controls, hardwired control, and IP interface which has a nodeserver.  I think a couple other people on here have them as well.  Also, I think the IP controller is not on the website anymore, so you have to call to order it.  I have 2 quietcool fans as gable fans, and they are not quiet... Will be replaced soon.

[Sachelis]

14 hours ago, Jimbo said:

Personally I would suggest https://airscapefans.com/ I've had mine for a couple years and it's great.  Ten speed, wireless controls, hardwired control, and IP interface which has a nodeserver.  I think a couple other people on here have them as well.  Also, I think the IP controller is not on the website anymore, so you have to call to order it.  I have 2 quietcool fans as gable fans, and they are not quiet... Will be replaced soon.

Considering a difference fan is a great shift to this topic, Jimbo!

It does look like the Airscape requires significant code (i.e., nodeserver, etc) which might create more challenges for me and the "next" homeowner (if any). I wonder if anyone is using a quiet, high-quality whole house fan (any brand) that with an RF controller like the Bond Bridge and the Broadlink RM4 Pro. That seems like the cleanest option: the manufacture's wall switch and remote would work and the fan could be controlled by the ISY.

[Jimbo.Automates]

Great, glad you didn't mind injecting my opinion

That's why I picked the Airscape, it has wall mount controller, and RF remotes, along with the IP controller, so new owner would not be required to use ISY.   But once ISY functionality is in Polisy it's back to one box to control it all.

I've never even thought about seeing if the Airscape will work with my Bond Bridge, but without 2-way communication, the ISY/NS connection is best.

 

[ELA]

I have had a quietcool WHfan for many years and am very happy with the sound level.   The specification for sound level appears to be better than for the airscape WHfan. ( depending upon model of course.)

 

I considered automating the controls just because I could.    However dont whole house fans require the windows to be open?  Do you automate the window opening as well?  

I have my annunciation system tell us when the outside temperature is lower than inside so that we can open the windows and turn on the WHFan.

[Jimbo.Automates]

I guess I got some bad ones, or their gable fans are not as good as the WHFan's.  I assumed they were the same thing, mine have bad vibration causing noise that I can't stop with big damper washers, and when turned are even noisier until they reach full speed.

I have the pressure sensor option so it shuts down if pressure in the house increases compared to outside, which means not enough windows are open.  But, ISY also knows how many are open from ELK NS, so we get a notification if the fan is turned on and no windows/doors are open, and if nothing is done for a couple minutes, it turns back off.   I also get notice when it's cooled off and warmed up outside saying if windows/doors should be open/closed.   I wish I could automate opening and closing windows Not really...

 

[Sachelis]

12 hours ago, ELA said:

<snip>

Do you automate the window opening as well?  

<snip>

I am still in the design stage (I haven't purchased a whole house fan, yet), but my plan is that once I have the fan automated I will install a shuttered and filtered exhaust fan, reversed so it blows air into my house, on the north side of in my (cold) walk-out basement (I live in North America). First things first, however, I need to find a fan that is relatively easy to automate... I'm still hoping for an RF solution.

[ELA]

Thank you both for sharing.   I like the idea of an automatic intake in case no windows are open.