Without proper attic ventilation, your home would be susceptible to damaging, extreme temperatures in the summer and moisture problems in other seasons. The average home requires air circulation through the attic to sufficiently lower the temperature and remove condensation. Learn the benefits that proper ventilation in the attic offers.
In the San Joaquin Valley, our region experiences a long, hot summer season. While air conditioning makes our indoor environments pleasant, unconditioned areas of the home, particularly the attic, may experience much higher temperatures. In the attic, without a proper ventilation system, that can spell trouble.
Very hot temperatures in the attic can lead to:
- Higher energy costs. As the temperature in the space right above your living areas becomes hotter, that heat can radiate back down into the living spaces (particularly if insulation is less than adequate), boosting the need for air conditioning, along with the costs of cooling.
- Damage to the roof. An extremely hot attic also exposes roof shingles to very hot temperatures, often much hotter than the temperatures outdoors. The shingles will break down, and you’ll face expensive roof repairs. Further, some roofing contractors require attic ventilation in order to provide a warranty.
Through cooler temperatures and the rainy season, attic ventilation helps control moisture. If condensation builds in the attic, it will damage the wood structure, causing wood to rot, mold to grow, and insulation to become wet and less effective. Ventilation ushers moisture out of the space.
To benefit year-round, work with your local HVAC contractor to select and size the right type of ventilation system. One of the most common configurations for attic ventilation consists of ridge vents installed at the peak of the roof and soffit vents installed along the eaves. This allows air to circulate through the attic, entering through the ridge vents and rising up and out of the attic through the soffit vents. Some attic ventilation systems require the assistance of an attic fan to boost air circulation.
For more information about attic ventilation, or to schedule a free home consultation, please contact us at Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning. We serve homeowners in the greater Fresno area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Fresno, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about Attic Ventilation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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