ATTIC VENTILATION CUTS COOLING COSTS
An unventilated or under-ventilated attic can lead to heat buildup in your attic during hot summer months. This heat can lead to uncomfortable living spaces, high cooling costs, damage to your roof, and premature aging of your air conditioning system.
HOT SUMMER SUN
From early morning to dusk, the hot summer sun beats down on your roof. The heat transfers from the roof into the attic, heating the ambient attic air. If that air isn’t released, the heat will penetrate through the insulation down into the living spaces below.
ATTIC INSULATION
While proper attic insulation will indeed slow heat transfer, it does not block it. Insulation only provides resistance to heat transfer. The level of resistance depends on the “R” value of the insulation installed in the attic. Click here to learn about attic insulation and “R” values.
During hot summer months, attic air can heat up to 1400 degrees or more. If the heated air isn’t released, the temperature in the attic will continue to rise. Without ventilation, even when temperatures drop during the evening the heat built up during the day can impact comfort levels in rooms throughout the night.
ATTIC AIR CIRCULATION
The best way to combat attic heat buildup is to ensure you have proper attic air circulation including ample intake and exhaust vents. Intake vents at the eave or soffit allow cool outside air to flow into the attic. Roof vents installed higher on the roof allow hot and moist air to exhaust outside.
AN ATTIC FAN CAN ACCELERATE AIR CIRCULATION
An attic fan can also be added to dramatically improve air circulation. An attic fan installed high on the roof more rapidly draws outside air in through in-take vents, displacing heated air and expelling it outside. Good attic fans are equipped with a thermostat that monitors the temperature of the attic. When the attic temperature rises to the set level, the attic fan is automatically activated and remains on until the attic is cooled to below the set temperature.
UNVENTILATED ATTIC IMPACT ON YOUR COOLING SYSTEM
To maintain cool living spaces during hot summer months when you have little or no attic ventilation will require you to run your air conditioner much more frequently to achieve desired room temperatures. Running your cooling system longer and more frequently adds unnecessary wear and tear on the system leading to premature repair or replacement costs.
UNVENTILATED ATTIC IMPACT ON YOUR ROOF
An overheated roof due to heat buildup in the attic below can shorten the life of your roof. The heat can cause tiles to split, crack, or curl resulting in roof leaks. Studies have shown that an overheated attic can reduce the lifecycle of your roof by as much as one third.
UNVENTILATED ATTIC IMPACT ON YOUR WALLET
Running your cooling system more often due to an overheated attic can lead to hefty utility costs. According to the EPA, good attic ventilation can reduce cooling costs by 30-40 percent.
ATTIC VENTILATION PAYS FOR ITSELF
Properly installed attic ventilation will pay for itself by reducing cooling costs, protecting your roof, your air conditioning system, and prevent attic moisture problems including, attic mold and ice dams in winter, all the while keeping your home more comfortable all year long.
IT’S MORE AFFORDABLE THAN YOU THINK
Proper attic ventilation is far more cost-effective than you might expect when you consider associated benefits. Is your attic properly ventilated?
NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE PROPER ATTIC AIR CIRCULATION?
Call Attic Air for a completely free attic ventilation assessment today at 630.830.3870