We put in an attic fan a couple of years ago. Sits above guest room which is the only place you can hear it – a faint hum if you are perfectly still and listen. We are 10 miles from the coast and on the hottest days it runs from about noon to 8 pm. It is set to come on when the attic reaches 100 degrees. I swear the a/c comes on less often now in the house.
Great investment, glad we bought it. I have heard they may only last 5 to 10 years, so I actually bought a spare…that way I can bolt it right in with no alterations when the first one goes.