Attic Ventilation: What is it and why should I care?
Attic Ventilation is healthy for the structure and its occupants
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Attic Ventilation is a balanced system of Intake and Exhaust (we’ll explain)
In my blogs, I try to write about things to help people better their lives. As a former Professional Home Inspector and Certified Radon technician, sometimes I focus on things that I believe will help home dwellers save money, live more comfortably, and healthy while at the same time protecting their investment. (saving money) I also write about humanitarian efforts and use my social media networks to support their efforts.
In this article, I would like to focus on attic ventilation which has many benefits regarding people’s comfort, health, and finances. There are many benefits to attic ventilation that the average person may not be aware of, and they may be living in conditions that are unhealthy, costly and less comfortable because of a simple lack of knowledge.
What is Attic Ventilation
Simply put, it's the action of moving air. Out with the hot. In with the cool. And that's exactly how ventilation works. It provides conditions that allow air to flow. Every time stale, overheated air in your home or attic is vented out, and fresh air is pulled in to replace it, you have what is known as an "air exchange.
You may ask, why add insulation for warmth and then purposely allow cold air to enter the attic through vents, but this combination is the key to a durable and energy-efficient home. Here’s why: in the winter, allowing a natural flow of outdoor air to ventilate the attic helps keep in cold which reduces the potential for ice damming (snow that melts off a roof from the attic that is too warm and then refreezes at the gutters, causing an ice dam that can damage the roof). Ice damming may also cause damage to materials inside the walls below the gutters if the water on the ice melts and goes back behind the interior walls. Proper insulation and air sealing also keep attics cold in the winter by blocking the entry of heat and moisture air from below. In the summer, natural air flow in a properly ventilated attic moves super-heated air from the attic, protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. The attic insulation will resist heat transfer into the home.
Above is an example of an optimal ventilation scenario. Air enters and through the soffit vents and exits at the ridge vents. This is a balanced system of intake and exhaust. The optimal time to install ridge events it is during a new roof installation. Any installation of components on the roof surface after installation creates an additional opening that have to be properly sealed to prevent moisture from entering the home through the roof surface. Also notice that the insulation is not extended over the soffit vent, which would prevent proper airflow. There are other alternatives to this ventilation arrangement, but make sure that you’re using a contractor that understands ventilation. Question them regarding their plans and check them against reputable sites that specialize in roof ventilation.
Attic ventilation has several additional benefits
- A well-ventilated attic will help reduce your energy costs several ways. Improved air circulation in the summer months will help remove hot air and reduce the temperature of your attic. This will keep the hot, stagnant attic air from seeping through into your living area. It will also help reduce the surface temperature of your attic floor and your interior ceilings.
- The reduced temperature in your attic will also assist your air conditioner by keeping the ductwork and the air inside cooler. The resulting effect will be cooler air flowing through your HVAC system, and reduced strain on you’re a/c unit.
- Extend the Life of Your Roof
When your attic heats up, the roofing underlayment beneath your roof shingles can also heat up and, over time, become brittle and ineffective. By lowering your attic temperature, you can extend the life of your roof and save the expense of repairs and replacement. - Remove Moisture and Reduce Harmful Mold and Mildew
During the winter months, warm, moist air from inside your home rises into the attic and collides with the colder underside of the roof. Proper attic ventilation can help remove the moisture and condensation that can build from this event. - Fight Ice Dams
If you live in an area that has snow, the warmer attic air will heat the roof and melt the snow which drips to the eaves where it can refreeze as ice and form ice-dams under the eaves. These ice-dams will cause water to work back up under the shingles into the attic and down to the ceiling.
Ice dams can damage roofing materials, exterior and interior walls.
If you hire a contractor or DYI (Do-it-yourself), NEVER COVER ATTIC SOFFIT VENTS WITH INSULATION.
This is a common mistake that we find during home inspections. After the installation is installed over the soffits, it is a difficult task to remove it, especially in a hot attic. Use cardboard or foam baffles to keep the soffit vents open to the outside air.
Natural Attic Ventilation
The most common mistake homeowners make when installing insulation is to block the flow of air at the eaves. NEVER COVER ATTIC SOFFIT VENTS WITH INSULATION — use rafter vents and soffit vents to maintain airflow.
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