A properly operating attic ventilation system should help keep temperature and humidity balanced in your home. Without this system, the air and moisture in your attic would just linger there. However, if you’re like a lot of people, you probably give your attic as little thought as you do the boxes that you stored up there a long time ago. But ignoring attic ventilation can be a mistake, as you’ll learn from the facts below.
Attic Ventilation Can Be Passive
It’s possible that aside from periodic checks to make sure everything is still flowing as it should, you really don’t need to do much about attic ventilation. You probably already know that hot air rises. When that hot air reaches the attic, it mixes with cooler air that has come in from outside via intake vents. These vents are usually located on the lower part of your roof or on the eaves.
At the top of your roof, there are also exhaust vents that allow the air to exit. In a home with a passive ventilation system, air moves through these vents on its own.
Attic Ventilation Can Be Mechanical
Some house designs don’t allow for air to flow easily through the vents and attic. If this is the case, you can get mechanical vents, which are essentially fans or turbines. These are operated using electricity or solar power. While passive ventilation is usually adequate for homes that permit it, in some homes, a mechanical option can move hot air out more quickly and save money on cooling costs.
You Need Ventilation, But Not Too Much Ventilation
It seems that if a few vents are good, more would be better. The problem with this is that while venting hot air is important, vents also leave your roof more vulnerable to leaks. That’s a risk worth taking when it comes to making sure that air can circulate in your attic. However, any circulation advantage you might get from adding in more vents is outweighed by the weak points those vents create in your roofing structure.
Attic Ventilation Is Important in Winter Too
It may sound like you only need attic ventilation in hot weather, but it’s also necessary in winter. Without it, moisture can get trapped in the attic, and that in turn can lead to growth of mold and mildew or even to rotting wood. Some people worry that vents will allow warm air out in the winter, but this shouldn’t be a concern in a well-insulated attic.
There should be ventilation throughout your home to keep moisture in check and ensure good air quality. Your attic is a key part of that ventilation system. Making sure that your attic can breathe helps keep your home dry and its temperature regulated. If you live in Mesa, AZ or a surrounding area and need attic ventilation services, make your first call to Overson Roofing.