Whole-house fans come in two types ... with the fan blade attached to the motor, and belt-drive, with the motor mounted to the side to rotate the blade with a pulley and belt.

The two basic types of standard whole-house fans are a direct-drive or a belt-drive. Direct-drive fans have the fan blade mounted directly to the motor shaft so it spins the same speed as the motor.

The two basic types of standard whole-house fans are a direct-drive or a belt-drive. Direct-drive fans have the fan blade mounted directly to the motor shaft so it spins the same speed as the motor.

Direct-drive fans have motors mounted directly to the fan blade (somewhat similar to a ceiling fan or box fan). Belt-driven fans are standard whole-house fans with separate motors, with belts ...