Attic Ventilation is Especially Important in the
Summer Months
Attic
ventilation is important at all times of the year. Many homeowners often think
that attic
insulation
is the most important part of keeping their home cool. While the insulation in
your
attic
is important to help keep your property warmer in the cold winter months and
cooler in the
hot
months of summer, attic ventilation plays an extremely important role too.
What
is attic ventilation and how does it work?
Attic
ventilation really isn't rocket science, but it's surprising how misunderstood
the concept
actually
is - by property owners and even some builders and construction companies. Many
people believe that the purpose of attic ventilation is to let out the
hot air which builds up in the
summer.
While this is definitely part of the benefit of attic ventilation, it certainly
isn't the
whole
story - not by a long shot.
·
In the warm summer months adequate attic
ventilation will help to keep your attic nice and cool.
·
In the colder winter months an attic with
adequate and correct ventilation will be kept
drier
and free from moisture - the ventilation also helps to reduce the development
if ice dams.
·
Attic ventilation makes your property more
comfortable, protects against structural damage and helps to reduce your
energy consumption and energy bills, whatever time of the year. More comfort
for fewer dollars - what could be better?
Why is
Attic Ventilation Especially Important in the Summer Months?
You
probably notice that the upstairs rooms in your property feel warmer in the hot
summer months. Cast your mind back to physics class - the lighter, hot
air rises as the denser, cooler air falls (remember that?) - and while
it is true, this is only part of the story. The knowledge that heat rises
is a good start, but there is much more to it than that. For example, there's
also the downward migration of the summer heat.
Picture
a hot, summers day - they will be here before you know it. So, what happens on
a hot summer's day? The radiant heat generated by the sun pushes down
onto the roof and causes the materials in the roof to heat up, which
conducts the heat as it travels through the roof and down into the attic
area of the house. As the temperature in the attic rises, this heat is radiated
through the floor of the attic and into the upper rooms of the property, and so
it goes on . . . The downward migration of the heat - which all started
from the sunshine pouring onto the roof.
So how
does attic ventilation help?
Take a
look at the differences between a typical temperature of a home which does not
have attic ventilation and the corresponding temperatures of a property
which does.
If the
outdoor summer temperature is 90 deg F (equivalent to 32 deg C):
·
The roof sheath temperature could rise as high as
an incredible 170 deg F (77 deg C)
·
The temperature of the attic floor could be as
high as 140 deg F (60 deg C)
·
The temperature in the rooms below is, at best,
extremely uncomfortable and, at worst,
unbearable
While
we can all put up with a little discomfort occasionally the problem is
compounded during the summer when one hot day follows another, and
another, and another. . . The temperature in the property can soon
become unbearable if the property does not have adequate attic ventilation.
If
your attic does not have ventilation, or inadequate ventilation, then the heat
which has been accumulated during the day will not be able to be lost
during the night, and a well-insulated property can actually exaggerate
the problem. A well ventilated attic will be able to dissipate the extra
heat during the cooler hours of darkness and stand prepared for the following
morning's sunshine.
So
what can a homeowner do in this sort of situation? Of course, the immediate
reaction is to try some cooling solutions such as switching on fans and
air conditioning systems. However, the hotter it gets the more energy is
consumed trying to keep cool and comfortable.
Properties
without adequate attic ventilation are opened up to other sorts of problems
too. For example, you may not immediately be able to notice what's
happening on the roof, but it will be happening just the same. The
prolonged and excessive heat in the roof materials can cause all sorts
of deterioration problems, such as weakening and distortion, which can even
lead to a leaking roof over time.
Remember
that the price of replacing or repairing a roof is much more costly than making
sure that your property has sufficient attic ventilation. While
it is important to have attic insulation, there needs to be a direct
correlation between the amount of insulation you have in the attic and
the amount of ventilation that is available. An
insulated
attic will hold on to even more heat than an uninsulated attic, which increases
the necessity for attic
ventilation. The solution to this problem is certainly not to reduce the
amount
of insulation in your attic - it is simply to balance the equation with
adequate attic
ventilation.
Whereas
ventilation in the attic cannot help to prevent heat from transferring from the
roof of the property into the attic, it can significantly minimize the
detrimental effects. Well placed and fitted ventilation will provide
cooler air in a flow on the underside of the sheathing of the roof. This
air flow will effectively take the heat away before it has the chance to
radiate onto the floor of the attic. You must ensure that there is a
uniform flow of cooler air to prevent hot spots from developing, which
can ultimately reduce the effectiveness of your attic ventilation.
Make
sure that your attic ventilation is adequate before the hot summer months
arrive, and you'll not only feel more comfortable but also save a
significant amount on your energy bills - a real win/win situation for
everybody.
----------------------------------------------------
Chase
Insulation began originally as an Austin insulation company. Over time we have
grown to provide a vast array of home insulation and attic ventilation
solutions to a diverse clientele. For new construction, home improvement
or remodeling an existing building, we provide energy-saving attic
insulation solutions backed by quality workmanship. See how Chase Insulation
can help you by visiting http://www.chaseinsulationaustin.com
