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About Attic Ventilation

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Attic Ventilation

Attic ventilation is essential in making any home more comfortable while lowering energy costs. Air-conditioners can run less and won’t have to work as hard. Humid, stagnant air can be removed, drawing fresh dry air across the surfaces. Your attic can be drier and cooler–the perfect tools to help fight potential moisture damage. Attics get hot because your roof takes the full brunt of the Sun's energy. As the Sun beats down on your roof, the shingles heat up–reaching temperatures up to 150°F. This heat is transferred through the shingles, to the roof deck, to the lumber and rafters, and to anything else inside the attic. All of these materials will absorb and radiate the heat.

Lower air-conditioning costs

Keeping your house cool can be a real challenge when your attic is too hot. The heat from the attic will work its way through the insulation, the A/C duct work and then into your living spaces–forcing your air-conditioning system to work harder.

By lowering the temperature, you can save money on your cooling expenses. The exact savings obtained depends on several factors such as the color of your roof, whether the home is shaded, the amount of insulation you have and the efficiency of your cooling system. Ideally, a high quality attic fan installation will pay for itself within 3 years.

Prevent the formation of ice dams

Properly vented roofs help prevent the formation of ice dams, which results in less damage to the interior of the house and longer lasting roofs. When the temperature in your attic is above freezing, snow on the roof will melt. The ponding water can then back up under the roof covering and leak into the attic or along exterior walls. Ventilation helps maintain a more even temperature throughout the attic, preventing the hot and cold spots that lead to the melting and refreezing of water

If this cycle repeats over several days, the freezing snowmelt builds up and forms a dam of ice, behind which water pools up into large puddles, or "ponds.” The ponding water can then back up under the roof covering and leak into the attic or along exterior walls. It’s an important consideration for those living in colder climates.

Prolong the life of your roof–and your home

Of all the reasons to ventilate an attic the most important is to preserve the structural integrity of the roof. At all times during the year, heat and moisture accumulate in every attic. When left uncontrolled, excess heat and moisture often result in significant damage to the roof and structure–reducing normal life expectancy. Proper ventilation validates the shingle manufacturer's warranty, and protects the roof and ceilings from both heat and moisture.

Remove damaging moisture from attic

Cool night air creates condensation that collects on insulation and wood. In the winter, moisture from the house condenses in the attic and settles on the wood and insulation, which can lead to damaging wood rot and costly repairs. Wet insulation loses its effectiveness and can cultivate mold or mildew, and can cause stains or crumbled ceilings. A properly ventilated attic provides an exhaust system allowing moisture to escape.

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07720 - Roof Accessories
10200 - Louvers and Vent
10230 - Vent
15800 - Air Distribution
15810 - Duct
07 72 00 - Roof Accessories
07 72 23 - Relief Vents
08 90 00 - Louvers and Vents
08 95 00 - Vents
08 95 13 - Soffit Vents
08 95 16 - Wall Vents
23 30 00 - HVAC Air Distribution
23 31 00 - HVAC Ducts and Casings
23 31 13 - Metal Ducts
23 31 16 - Nonmetal Ducts
23 33 46 - Flexible Ducts
23 35 00 - Special Exhaust Systems
26 27 73 - Door Chimes