Attic Ventilation – An Overlooked Area for a Healthy Home

No doubt about it, any home needs effective attic ventilation — a proper amount of air exchange between inside and outside. This helps keep the attic from getting too hot or cold and reduces the chances of moisture collecting in the attic and damaging wood, fixtures, insulation and belongings. However, a number of bogus attic ventilation myths are floating around. Here’s the scoop on some of them:

• Myth: The more attic ventilation the better. As with anything, you can have too much of a good thing when it comes to attic ventilation. Too many vents in the attic and you’re increasing the chance for wind damage during strong storms, moisture intrusion or foreign objects getting into he attic. You’ll want to discuss your ventilation options with a trained HVAC professional.
• Myth: Attic vents are more important in the summer than the winter. While ventilation can play a role during hot weather to keep the attic from becoming superheated, other strategies play a greater part in energy efficiency, including roof color, the amount of sun exposure, and insulation or thermal barriers. In the winter, however, a properly ventilated attic is the main defense against condensation and other moisture intrusion.
• Myth: Roof vents allow warm air to escape in the winter. In a well-designed home, enough other systems are in place, including insulation between the living spaces and the attic, where you don’t have to worry about >warm air escaping out of attic vents. Plus, on a sunny winter’s day, solar heat in the attic can compensate for any escaping air.
• Myth: All your answers to properly ventilation the attic are available on the Internet. While you will likely find authoritative research studies on this topic if you search the Web, none of them are familiar with your particular home, attic or climate. Have a trained technician inspect your attic and provide recommendations for the right type and extent of attic ventilation.

Learn more about HVAC services, including attic ventilation, from the pros at Tempco Heating & Air Conditioning or contact us today at (847) 670-7000.