5 Ways To Improve Your Attic Ventilation (Homeowners Guide)

No one likes feeling hot in the summer and cold in the winter. We have furnaces and air conditioners for a reason! But unfortunately, if you don’t take care of your attic ventilation, your expensive HVAC systems won’t do you much good in the long run.

There are five common issues that poor attic ventilation can cause, so today, we’ll be exploring solutions to each of them.

Why Attic Ventilation Is Important

Attic ventilation allows air to both come in and escape from the attic. This is important for two reasons:

The first reason has to do with the temperature in your attic. When air is able to circulate freely, it helps to regulate the temperature in your attic and keep it from getting too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter.

The second reason has to do with moisture. Circulating air helps to remove any moisture that may have found its way into the attic. Too much moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, which is one of the issues we’ll touch on below.

It’s clear that attic ventilation is important for a well-maintained home, so let’s take a look at some of the problems that can arise when there isn’t enough ventilation.

1) The Issue: Hot or Cold Areas in Your House ?

Have you ever felt a noticeable change in temperature in different areas of your home? If so, it’s possible that your attic ventilation is to blame.

When there isn’t enough airflow in the attic, it can cause certain areas of your home to be hotter or colder than others. This is because the air in your attic is no longer able to circulate properly, which means that the temperature in your attic can become unbalanced.

If your attic is too hot, it can cause your air conditioner to work overtime in an attempt to cool down your home. This can lead to higher energy bills and a shorter lifespan for your AC unit. On the other hand, if your attic is too cold, it can cause heat to escape from your home, making it harder for your furnace to do its job.

The Solution

You can fix inconsistent temperatures throughout your home by ensuring that your attic has proper ventilation. This will help to regulate the temperature in your attic, which will, in turn, help to regulate the temperature in your entire home.

To do this, you can install different types of roof vents:

• Ridge vents: Vents that run along the ridge of your roof and are easily camouflaged. They allow hot air to escape the attic (aka— an exhaust vent).
• Static (box) vents: These protrude from the roof, but you can get them in a color that matches your shingles. They also allow hot air to escape the attic.
• Turbine vents: Static vents or exhaust vents that use the wind to power a fan.
• Soffit vents: Also called “intake vents,” these vents are located under the roof eaves and allow cool air to enter the attic.

2) The Issue: Ice Dams ?

Ice dams are a detrimental issue that can arise from poor attic ventilation. They form when heat escapes from the living areas of your home and warms the air in your attic. This warmer air then melts the snow on your roof, which then refreezes before it fully melts off your roof and forms an ice dam.

Ice dams can cause all sorts of problems, such as leaks in your roof, water damage to your ceilings and walls, and even mold growth.

The Solution

One of the best ways to prevent ice dams is by installing the proper number of soffit vents before winter hits. You should also:

• Add insulation to your attic. You should have 12-14 inches of fiberglass insulation.
• Keep doors to your attic closed and minimize foot traffic in winter to remove as many heat sources as possible.
• Seal air leaks around windows, doors, the chimney, and other ceiling openings.
• Schedule a professional roofing inspection before winter hits to ensure your ice and water shield is in good condition and that you don’t have any roof leaks.

3) The Issue: Mold and Mildew ?

Mold and mildew love warm, moist environments— and your attic is the perfect place for them to thrive. That’s why poor attic ventilation can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can lead to all sorts of problems.

Not only is mold unsightly, but it can also cause musty odors throughout your home. In some cases, it can even cause respiratory problems in people and pets.

The Solution

There are a few things you can do to prevent mold and mildew from taking over your attic:

• Install a dehumidifier in your attic.
• Make sure your gutters are clean and free of debris so they can properly drain water away from your home.
• Ensure you have the appropriate number of intake and exhaust vents installed.
• Ridge vents, in particular, help prevent mold growth.

4) The Issue: Broken Down Air Conditioner ?

Your air conditioner works hard to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer. However, if your attic is too hot, it can cause your AC unit to overwork itself and break down.

A broken air conditioner is not only a huge inconvenience, but it can also be quite expensive to fix. That’s why it’s important to keep up with proper attic ventilation to prevent your AC unit from overworking itself.

The Solution

Installing turbine vents is one of the best ways to prevent your AC unit from breaking down. The fans in this type of vent do a great job of helping to regulate the temperature in your attic and keep it from getting too hot.

You can also:

• Install a whole-house fan. This will help to circulate the air in your home and keep it cool.
• Make sure your AC unit is the proper size for your home. An AC unit that’s too small will have to work harder to cool your home, which can lead to a breakdown.
• Schedule regular maintenance checks for your AC unit. This will help to catch any potential problems before they become major issues.

5) The Issue: Increased Energy Bills ?

If your attic is too hot or too cold, it can cause your energy bills to spike. That’s because your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain the temperature in your home, which uses more energy and costs more money.

The Solution

There are a few things you can do to help reduce your energy bills:

• Install the proper number of intake and exhaust vents to keep air flowing in and out of your attic.
• Add insulation to your attic. This will help to keep the heat in your home from escaping through the attic.
• Seal cracks to minimize air leaks.
• Install energy-efficient attic ventilation fans which help pull and push air from your roof vents.

Find a Qualified Roofing Contractor to Install Your Vents

It’s pretty clear that the proper vents can make a huge difference in keeping your home (and wallet) happy. A professional local roofing contractor is the best person to call to check on the status of your vents and install new ones if needed.

To find the most reliable contractors in your area, utilize Directorii. Every roofing contractor in the Directorii is backed by a $20,000 guarantee!