Attic Ventilation Information

Without proper ventilation, attics, most generally, will retain excess heat during summer months. Because heat rises, attics commonly fill with hot, still air. This can cause several problems for homeowners. In addition, it is common for moisture to gather in attics during winter months, causing possible problems for the homeowner. The following paragraphs will discuss some of the reasons why proper attic ventilation is important, no matter what the season, as well as provide useful information regarding attic ventilation.

Proper home attic ventilation is important for two main reasons. These reasons are temperature control, as well as moisture control. During the summer months, all of the excess heat that has build up in the attic can cause the cost of cooling your house to be extremely high. The attic air is stagnant, and often stale smelling. In winter months, any moisture produced in the home has a tendency to rise to the attic if proper ventilation isn't in place. When moisture build up is not exhausted from the attic, it could eventually cause problems such as deterioration in the insulation and the wooden rafters.

During the hottest months of the year, it is not uncommon for attic temperatures to reach temperatures as high as 130 degrees F. Imagine the impact those kind of attic temperatures can have on the air temperatures of the entire home. Without a good ventilation system in place, cooling bills tend to skyrocket during the hotter months of the year. A good ventilation system in the attic will not only decrease cooling bills, it is likely to increase the life span of your central air cooling system.

When the cooler months arrive, attic temperatures do not pose as much of a threat as moisture build up does. While excess heat will still rises to the attic, so does any excess moisture in the house. This makes conditions perfect for several potential problems including:

• pest/animal infestation
• mold
• insulation deterioration

In addition, deterioration and rusting of construction materials can also occur due to excess moisture build up.

There are four types of basic attic vents available on the market today. These attic vents are:

• soffit vents
• gable end vents
• ridge vents
• roof vents

These vents can be used alone as a proper ventilation system, or used together in different combinations. For example, most experts recommend ridge vents be used in combination with soffit vents, while gable end vents and roof vents adequately stand alone.

Attic ventilation is important during all seasons. Not only does improper ventilation in the attic cause the cooling bill to rise during the summer months, it can also cause problems that are detrimental to the roof, as well cause problems that could threaten the overall integrity of the home.