A HOT ATTIC CAN LEAD TO HIGH COOLING COSTS
Fortunately, temperatures are slowly coming down here in Chicagoland. But utility bills may not be. Did you run your air conditioner more frequently over the past few hot summer months? If so, you may not have proper attic ventilation.
HEAT CAN BUILD UP IN YOUR ATTIC DURING HOST SUMMER MONTHS
During hot summer months, heat can build up in your attic space leading to higher-than-expected cooling costs if your run an air conditioner. If you don’t have an air conditioner, or prefer not to use it much, high summer heat can lead to miserable living spaces. Click here to read what the EPA suggests for attic ventilation>
A HOT ATTIC LEADS TO HIGH COOLING COSTS
This is often due to poor or non-existent attic ventilation. When the hot summer sun beats down on your roof, heat from the sun is absorbed into your attic space where it gets trapped. Attic temperatures in summer can reach up to 170 degrees in an unventilated attic. If that hot air isn’t removed, the heat will eventually transfer to living spaces below. This heat puts a heavy burden on your air conditioning system causing it to run longer and more frequently. And eventually reducing the lifecycle of your AC system.
YOUR ATTIC NEEDS TO BREATHE
Your attic needs to breathe. It needs to take in fresh air and exhaust stale hot air. That is accomplished by intake and exhaust ventilation. Intake vents allow fresh external air in. Exhaust vents allow hot air to be released outdoors.
Intake vents are typically installed at the eave or soffit of the roof, while exhaust vents are installed higher on the roof line. This creates proper air flow in your attic and dramatically reduces heat buildup in the attic. Here you can read more about attic ventilation>
AN ATTIC FAN CAN IMPROVE ATTIC VENTILATION
An attic fan can improve attic air circulation by rapidly pulling in cooler outside air into the attic and out through exhaust vents. It can be set to activate when your attic reaches a specified temperature.
ATTIC VENTILATION IS AN AFFORDABLE SOLUTION
Attic ventilation is an affordable way to prevent heat buildup in your attic space. It is a more affordable upgrade than most expect. And attic ventilation pays for itself in a short period of time by reducing how often you need to run an air conditioner to achieve comfortable room temperatures.
WINTER BENEFITS TO GOOD ATTIC VENTILATION
Good attic ventilation also has benefits during winter months. In winter when doors and windows are closed, moisture from living spaces can rise up into your attic. Without proper ventilation, that moisture can buildup leading to moisture damage and mold. Attic ventilation helps to remove moisture from your attic. Further, attic ventilation can keep your attic temperatures cooler in winter when warm air from heated living spaces rise up into the attic. A hot attic in winter can lead to ice dams. Click here to learn about ice dams>
ATTIC AIR
We have been installing attic ventilation systems for over 25 years. Not sure if your attic is properly ventilated? Call us for a free attic assessment today at 630.830.3870