Does Attic Needs Ventilation

Here are some of the myths and the facts you need to know about attic ventilation.

Does attic needs ventilation. In cold climates the primary purpose of attic or roof ventilation is to maintain a cold roof temperature to control ice dams created by melting snow and to vent moisture that moves from the conditioned space to the attic ventilation acts to bypass the vapour barrier created by most roof membranes. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space. Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under.

Effective ventilation provides year round benefits creating a cooler attic in the summer and a drier attic in the winter. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. Cool air in hot air out attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home.

Poor ventilation also can contribute to condensation mold and mildew in the attic. Heat and moisture buildup in an attic cause predictable but different problems in hot and cold climates. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents. Areas with hot summers and cold winters can suffer the effects of both.

Proper ventilation in your attic helps address excess heat and moisture that can otherwise wreak havoc on your home. It requires a specific type of air movement that needs to be high volume and ongoing. In the winter allowing cool air into the attic through intake vents will help prevent ice dam formation according to energy star an environmental protection agency driven program that promotes energy efficiency. Attic ventilation is an intake and exhaust system that creates airflow designed to decrease the difference in temperature between the outdoor air and the air inside the attic.

This prevents hot air from seeping into your home and driving up the temperature in the living space which reduces the load on your air conditioner. Attic ventilation fans help cool air your attic by pushing out the stifling hot air from inside the attic and bringing in cool air from outside. Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents soffit and gable and pushing hot air to the outside. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter.

More attic ventilation is good. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves.