How do I check the air flow in my attic?

What happens if your attic is not properly ventilated?

A poorly or improperly ventilated attic can cause early degradation of your roof. Moisture accumulation in the attic can cause nails, flashing, and duct straps to rust, resulting in damaging leaks. Excessive moisture can also allow for the growth of mold and mildew beneath your shingles, causing them to rot.

How much air flow does an attic need?

Most codes use the 1/300 rule for minimum residential attic ventilation recommendations. This means that for every 300 square feet of enclosed attic space, 1 square foot of ventilation is required – with half at the upper portion (exhaust vents) and half in the lower portion (intake vents).

Does an attic need air flow?

Your attic needs at least 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic space. That means the typical ratio of attic area to attic ventilation is 300-to-1. Half of your ventilation should be exhaust vents, and half should be intake vents.

Should you feel a breeze in your attic?

You may actually be able to feel a slight breeze -- an indication that the vents are pulling air outside. In the winter, look carefully to see if moisture is condensing on the framing members or on the insulation. This will happen when the attic temperature is low and there is little air circulation.

How Does Proper Attic Ventilation Protect my Roof?

How do you tell if attic is properly vented?

What is proper attic ventilation?

In order to facilitate this exchange of warm and cool air, the general rule of thumb is to install at least 1 square foot of vent for every 300 square feet of attic floor. Local building codes vary, though, so be sure to check with the building authority in your area about your community's regulations.

How do I know if my attic is too hot?

Do attic fans really help?

Based on our industry experience, the answer is, yes. Attic fans do really work. They will help to circulate air in your attic and ventilate the space so that it stays closer to the outside temperature.

How much does it cost to install attic ventilation?

The national average cost to install an attic vent is between $300 and $550, with most people paying around $475 for the installation.

How can I increase the airflow in my attic?

How can I improve my loft ventilation?

The most popular roof ventilation solution is to have soffit vents providing cool, fresh air into the loft from a low level, and a tile vent or ridge vent at a high level for the warm stale air to exit the building.

How do I know if my soffit vents are working?

A smoke test is the best way to check if your soffit vents are clear and unobstructed. To do this, you will need a smoke bomb or incense stick. Go into the attic, light the smoke bomb or incense stick, and hold it near the soffit vent. If the smoke gets drawn out of the attic, the vent is clear and working properly.

How do you fix poor roof ventilation?

Along with exhaust vents that release the hot air in the attic, it is beneficial to have intake vents to strengthen the air flow process. Edge vents can be installed under soffits or under shingles near the drip edge by gutters. Intake vents are essential for cycling cool air through the home to prevent overheating.

How many vents should an attic have?

How Many Vents Do I Need? The general rule of thumb in these situations is of roughly one vent per every 300 square feet of attic area if the attic has a vapor barrier. If not, there should be one vent for every 150 square feet. You will need to have 1 square foot of vent area for every 150 square feet of attic space.

Do roofers install attic fans?

Most people have a passive attic fan installed when they have their roof reshingled, but you can also hire a carpenter or roofer to cut a hole and install the fan. It can be fitted in the gable end of the roofline.

What temperature should your attic fan be set at?

When it comes to an attic fan's temperature setting, it's best to adjust it to anywhere from 90 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It's impossible to state a single number because your attic can effortlessly soar above 95 degrees (on average).

Should I turn off my attic fan in the winter?

But did you know that an attic fan can also play an important role in your attic during winter? It's true. An attic fan in winter can help prevent ice dams, reduce moisture in your attic during winter months, and prevent mold and mildew buildup due to moisture problems in the attic.

What are the pros and cons of an attic fan?

Should attic windows be open?

Cars and attics can reach 140 degrees F and higher, and all that heat doesn't do either one of them any good. Just as you can crack open a car window to prevent such excessive heat in your car, you can use ventilation in the attic to reduce the heat gain.

Does cooling your attic help cool your house?

By lowering the temperature of your attic and reducing the amount of hot air that is forced into your living space, you'll be able to reduce the strain on your HVAC system, saving money on your electric bill during these typically expensive months.

How hot is too hot in my attic?

Ideally, your attic should not exceed 130 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. Problems related to attics hotter than 130 degrees: It will make it harder to cool your home in the summer. Your HVAC system has to work harder than needed, which leads to premature equipment failure.

What is the most effective roof venting system?

Soffit vents are a favorite amongst home builders and roofers because they are unquestionably the most effective intake vent for the cost. If a home's style allows for it, most new construction builders include soffit vents in their home's blueprint.

Does attic air get into house?

As mentioned above, it cold attic air can fall down open chases, especially when the house is depressurized by exhaust fans. If there are ducts in the attic and the return ducts have holes in them, attic air can also be sucked into the house through those duct leaks.

How do I know if my ridge vent is working?

In general, to find out if your ridge vent is installed properly, walk along its entire length and pull the vent slightly upward every few meters. Inspect the vent for any loose seams or fasteners; have them repaired as soon as possible. Even a nail slightly out of place can cause problems later on.