Quietcool QC ES-4700 RF Energy Saver Advanced Whole House Fan with Wireless Control - Up to 4195 CFM - As low as 75 watts - Two Speed - Covers up to 2,098 SQFT - 10 Year Warranty

I added the ES-4700 RF to my own home to reduce evening air-conditioning use and to get better air changes after cooking or a hot day. After a summer of regular use, it’s become one of those “why didn’t I do this sooner” upgrades—quiet, effective, and thoughtfully engineered—but it’s not without a few considerations to get right during install.

What the ES-4700 RF is designed to do

This is a two-speed, attic-mounted whole-house fan meant to pull cool outside air through open windows and exhaust warm, stale air into the attic and out the roof vents. On high, it moves up to 4,195 CFM; on low, 2,304 CFM. It’s sized for homes up to about 2,100 square feet, and it uses an efficient ECM motor: 415 watts on high and just 75 watts on low. The damper box has R-5 insulated doors to reduce heat loss when it’s off, and the wireless RF wall control includes a glass-faced switch with a countdown timer up to 12 hours.

If you live where nights reliably cool down, this type of ventilation cooling is incredibly effective. Instead of running a multi-kilowatt air conditioner, you’re often running a fan that draws less than a toaster.

Installation: straightforward, but plan the logistics

QuietCool’s approach removes the heavy fan from the ceiling and suspends it from the rafters, connected to the intake grille by an insulated flex duct. The ceiling cutout is 14 x 30 inches, which is compact compared with old belt-driven units. The manufacturer suggests one to two hours; I spent closer to three including layout, cutting, fastening, wiring the RF control, and air-sealing the grille perimeter.

A few practical notes from my install:
- Attic access: If your attic hatch is small, consider whether you’ll bring the fan assembly up through the new ceiling opening instead. The duct is factory-mounted; that’s convenient, but be prepared to detach and reattach it if space is tight.
- Structure: The grille fits 16- or 24-inch on-center joists without cutting joists, which saves time. I still pre-drilled and added blocking for a tighter, squeak-free fit.
- Wiring: The RF control avoided fishing multi-speed conductors to the wall. You still need a dedicated power feed to the unit and to mount the RF switch, but pairing was painless.
- Venting: The system needs 5.6 square feet of net free ventilation (about 806 square inches). Add up the NFVA of your soffit, ridge, and gable vents; you may need to add vents to avoid pressurizing the attic.

With basic carpentry skills and a comfortable day in the attic, this is a very doable DIY. If you’re not used to working in tight or hot spaces, hiring a pro is money well spent.

Controls and day-to-day use

The wireless wall switch has a clean glass face with a speed selector and a countdown timer up to 12 hours. I usually run 30–90 minutes at dusk on high to purge the day’s heat, then switch to low for overnight. The RF signal has been reliable from both floors of the house, and the countdown timer is perfect for “set it and forget it” ventilation after evening cooking.

The included window locks are a nice touch. Whole-house fans work best with a few windows cracked in rooms you want to cool; the locks help keep those partially open windows from being pushed wider by the pressure difference.

Performance and cooling impact

On high speed, the ES-4700 RF moves a lot of air—enough to feel a genuine, house-wide breeze when two or three windows are open. In my 1,900-square-foot home, I can bring indoor temps down to near outdoor levels within 30–45 minutes in the evening. The fan also does a good job clearing cooking smells and stuffy air any time I want a quick refresh.

The math on energy is compelling. High speed draws about 0.415 kW; low speed 0.075 kW. Compared with a central AC system that often draws 2–4 kW while running, ventilating with this fan is a fraction of the cost whenever outdoor conditions are favorable. If your nights dip below your indoor setpoint, you’ll likely cut a meaningful chunk off your cooling hours.

A quick reality check: in hot, humid climates where nights stay warm and sticky, a whole-house fan is less useful. It doesn’t dehumidify; it simply swaps indoor air for outdoor air. In shoulder seasons and in regions with diurnal swings, it’s a star.

Noise and comfort

The acoustic profile is one of the ES-4700 RF’s strongest points. Because the motor is hung from rafters and the duct is insulated, most of the sound at the grille is the whoosh of air, not motor whine. On low, it’s pleasantly quiet—easy to hold a conversation or watch TV without raising the volume. On high, there’s a low-pitched hum plus airflow noise; doors softly pull against their latches as pressure equalizes. If you’ve lived with an old belt-driven fan, this will feel like a different category.

Mounting details matter: hanging the motor head securely, keeping the duct runs smooth without tight bends, and ensuring the grille sits fully flat all reduce vibration and turbulence noise.

Damper performance and seasonal considerations

The R-5 insulated damper doors close automatically when the fan is off. In my winter checks, I didn’t notice drafts through the grille, and the doors seat firmly. That said, no motorized damper in this category is completely equivalent to a solid insulated ceiling. If you live in a very cold climate, consider adding a temporary magnetic or foam cover over the grille for peak winter months to minimize heat loss.

Building science and safety

A few best practices that matter with any whole-house fan:
- Provide open windows before switching on, ideally in rooms farthest from the grille to promote crossflow.
- Verify attic venting meets or exceeds the 5.6 sq. ft. net free area requirement. Insufficient venting can pressurize the attic, forcing hot air back into the house or stressing the roof assembly.
- Keep combustion safety in mind. Avoid backdrafting by keeping the fan off when fireplaces, wood stoves, or atmospherically vented water heaters are operating. Open adequate windows first.
- Don’t draw air from garages or utility closets.

Follow these, and the ES-4700 RF functions as intended: it flushes heat from the house and attic while maintaining good airflow paths out through the roof vents.

Maintenance and longevity

Maintenance has been minimal. I vacuum the intake grille a couple of times per season to keep dust from restricting flow. I also verify the damper doors swing freely and the duct clamps are tight. The ECM motor starts and ramps smoothly, which is usually a good sign for long-term reliability. The RF wall switch is battery-powered; plan to replace the cell every couple of years.

What I’d change

• Price: It’s more expensive than basic whole-house fans, though the design and acoustics justify the premium in my view.
• App integration: The RF control is reliable and simple, but app control or integration with smart thermostats would be welcome for automation-minded users.
• Venting diligence: The 5.6 sq. ft. requirement is larger than many older homes naturally have. Expect to assess and possibly add roof or gable vents to get the best results.

None of these are deal-breakers, but they’re worth factoring into your project plan and budget.

The bottom line

The ES-4700 RF delivers what a modern whole-house fan should: strong airflow, very good acoustics, efficient operation, and a clean installation that doesn’t require cutting joists. The wireless control and insulated damper system make it easy to live with day to day, and the energy savings add up quickly in climates with cool nights.

Recommendation: I recommend the ES-4700 RF for homeowners in regions with regular evening cooldowns who want to cut AC use and improve indoor air quality with quiet, effective ventilation. Budget for proper attic venting and take a thoughtful approach to installation; if you do, this fan is a high-performing, low-hassle upgrade that earns its keep.