Generic Complete Whole House Fan Control Kit: 3 Speed Control Switch, 8 Hour Timer, 2-Gang Wall Plate Included

Why I tried this kit

I’ve been running a traditional whole-house fan for years, and while the airflow is great, the original single-speed, single-switch setup was crude. I wanted finer control over noise and airflow at night, plus a “forget-proof” way to shut the fan down by morning. This whole-house fan control kit promised three-speed control and a simple 8-hour countdown timer in one clean, two-gang package. After a few weeks of use, I can say it’s a practical, no-frills upgrade that meaningfully improves how a whole-house fan fits into daily life.

What’s in the box

The kit combines three off-the-shelf components behind a single white two-gang wall plate:
- A three-speed fan control switch (rated 15A, 120/277V)
- An Intermatic 8-hour countdown timer with 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-hour buttons
- A matching two-gang wall plate

Nothing fancy here—and that’s a positive. Using recognizable, brand-name parts means ratings are clear, reliability is predictable, and replacements are easy to find if you ever need them.

Installation experience

I installed the kit in place of an old toggle switch controlling a belt-driven whole-house fan in a 1940s bungalow. The work itself is straightforward, but a few practical notes:

• Box depth and fill: Two devices, plus splices and 12 AWG conductors on a 20A circuit, made my original shallow box cramped. A deep, old-work box made the wiring painless and kept the devices from binding against the plate.
• Timer wiring: Countdown timers vary—some need a neutral, some don’t. Plan on having a neutral available (mine did), and check the diagram before you start.
• Series layout: I fed the line hot into the timer first, then from the timer’s load to the speed control, then out to the fan. That lets the timer act like a master on/off with the speed set independently.
• Grounding and labeling: I pigtailed grounds to both devices and labeled the wall plate “Whole-House Fan” for clarity.

If you’re comfortable with line-voltage work, this is a clean weekend upgrade. If not, it’s a quick job for an electrician, especially if you also need to swap to a deeper box. Either way, kill the breaker, verify with a tester, and follow local code.

Compatibility caveats

The three-speed control in this kit is a switch-based solution, not a dimmer. That matters:

• Best match: Multi-speed, PSC/tapped-winding whole-house fan motors that provide separate lead taps for low/medium/high. In that configuration, the switch selects a discrete speed and works quietly.
• Marginal match: Single-speed motors that owners hope to “slow down” with a generic dimmer—this kit is not for that. You need a motor-rated speed controller suitable for your fan, or a manufacturer-provided multi-speed control.
• Check ratings: Many whole-house fans draw 5–10 amps on high. The devices here are rated for 15A at 120V, but confirm your fan’s full-load amps and motor horsepower against both the timer and speed switch ratings. If your fan is near the limit, consider using the timer to drive a properly rated contactor/relay that handles the motor load.

In my case—a two-speed fan with an additional medium-tap available—the switch worked exactly as intended.

Day-to-day use

The everyday routine is simpler and smarter now:

• Timer: I use 1 hour for quick evening purges after cooking, 2–4 hours for evening pre-cooling, and 8 hours for overnight runs. The tactile buttons are easy to hit in the dark, and the countdown is predictable. There’s a faint relay click when it shuts off, which I don’t mind.
• Speed control: High clears a hot house fast at dusk. Medium is a nice compromise for TV time. Low is quiet enough to sleep with the bedroom door open. The ability to set-and-forget the speed while the timer handles shutoff is exactly what I wanted.

Because the timer is the master, the fan always turns off when the countdown ends—even if I left the speed switch on. That “idiot-proofing” prevents wasting cooled air the next morning or running the fan all day.

Performance and noise

With three discrete speeds, the fan behaves predictably. No humming, fluttering, or motor chatter; the speeds feel like the motor’s native taps rather than an artificial slowdown. On low, airflow is gentle and the noise floor drops considerably—great for late-night use without waking up the house. High still delivers the whole-house ventilation punch these fans are known for.

Thermally, both devices stay cool in normal operation. I checked after a few extended overnight runs, and neither showed worrying warmth.

Build quality and ergonomics

These are utilitarian parts from familiar brands—and that’s a compliment. The switch detents are positive, labels are clear, and the included wall plate sits flush without gaps. The white finish blends in with typical trim. If you’re hunting for designer colors or backlighting, look elsewhere, but for a mechanical control you’ll use daily, this is solid.

What I’d change

• Add a shorter option: A 30-minute button would be handy for quick purges.
• “Hold” mode: A dedicated “ON” that bypasses the countdown would be useful for extended use without re-tapping 8 hours.
• Documentation for common fan types: A one-page sheet showing typical wiring for two- and three-speed whole-house fans, plus a note on single-speed limitations, would help DIYers avoid misapplication.
• Color options: White is fine, but almond/black/gray faceplates would help match more interiors.

Who this kit is for

• Homeowners who already have a multi-speed whole-house fan and want reliable, tactile control without smart-home complexity.
• Anyone who wants to avoid leaving the fan on accidentally—rental units, guest houses, or busy households where a countdown timer is the safer default.
• DIYers comfortable with basic line-voltage work, or pros who want a ready-to-go combo with known ratings.

Who should skip it

• Owners of single-speed fans seeking variable speed by “dimming” the motor. You’ll need a motor-rated variable controller or a fan-specific solution.
• Oversized fans approaching or exceeding the device ratings. In that case, use the timer to drive a contactor, or buy a higher-capacity control.

Alternatives to consider

• Smart timer switch plus a manufacturer-provided multi-speed control if you want app scheduling or voice control (be mindful of motor load compatibility).
• A purpose-built whole-house fan controller from the fan manufacturer, especially for newer ECM motors.
• A contactor-controlled solution where low-voltage or smart relays handle logic and a properly rated contactor carries the motor current.

Bottom line

This kit does exactly what a whole-house fan needs most: practical speed selection and a trustworthy countdown shutoff, packaged cleanly in a standard two-gang plate. It doesn’t try to be clever, it doesn’t require apps or hubs, and it uses familiar hardware you can service or replace easily. Once installed, it fades into the background and simply makes the fan more livable.

Recommendation: I recommend this kit for anyone with a multi-speed whole-house fan whose motor and amperage fall within the included devices’ ratings. It’s an affordable, robust way to add meaningful control and safety to a fan you already own. If your fan is single-speed or pushes the load limits, I wouldn’t recommend it as-is—look for a fan-specific controller or use this timer to drive a properly rated contactor—but for the common multi-speed setups, this is a worthwhile, confidence-inspiring upgrade.