Tips On How To Improve Attic Ventilation
This article offers tips on how to improve attic ventilation that can prevent mildew and condensation while keeping us warm during winter and cool during summer. First of all, insulating an attic is also important and should be done first before ventilating the attic because your heating bills may just keep on going up if you do not provide adequate insulation. Do not forget attic stairs insulation because the heat that can escape from the folding stairs can also lead to unnecessary energy costs. Saving on your heating bills is not just good for you wallet but it also helps the environment. There are two ways of insulating an attic. One is to remove the plaster or drywall and then install the insulation. The other way is to drill small holes throughout, blow in the insulation and then seal the holes. After ensuring that the attic is properly insulated, it is time for performing attic ventilation.
Attic ventilation is essential because the accumulation of heated air in this location can warp and damage the wood. When combined with condensation, this could lead to dry rot in the plywood roof deck and the deterioration of the adhesive glue in the plywood. Aside from this, metal parts can rust and break apart. During the cold season, trapped moisture can allow molds to thrive.
There are various ways for ventilating the attic and these include the use of turbine vents, ridge vents, static vents, gable vents and cupola vents. The choice will depend on the design of the roof, the size of the attic, and the climate. The intake vents should be placed on the eaves of the roof and permit the air to enter from the bottom. The exhaust vents should be placed at the ridge or the top of the roof to permit hot air from the attic to escape.
Solar energy can also be used for ventilating the attic. Basically, a solar panel provides the power for an attic fan that decreases the demand on the air conditioning system. Moreover, if the warm and humid air in the attic is not released to the outside, indoor air quality will be compromised due to the increase in mold and mildew. The overly hot attic will also result into the degradation of the roof shingles. And during the winter, an attic that is too warm will melt too much snow and cause water damage.
It should be noted that if you desire for a really cool attic, attic ventilation has to be provided by an electric fan. This should be coupled with the use of soffit vents. However, do not forget to install insect screening to prevent birds and insects from getting in. You will need to make sure that soffit vents are adequate or else the fans will try to suck the air from inside the home, resulting in wastage of air-conditioned air. It is therefore also important to find the air leaks from the interior of the home to the attic.
