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Energy-Efficient Attic Ventilation Solutions

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Attic ventilation is important for protecting your roof, controlling humidity and mold, improving air quality in your home, and controlling the climate in your living space. Proper ventilation keeps your attic from overheating, damaging your roof, and making your home too hot. Ventilation must be set up properly too, or cool air can be pulled out of your living space and drawn into your attic. Here's a look at energy-efficient attic ventilation solutions.

Start With Adequate Insulation 

Adequate ventilation on the floor of your attic is important because it separates your living space from your attic and prevents air from your home from being drawn into the attic. Energy-efficient attic ventilation is done by pulling in air from the outdoors rather than pulling it in from your living area.

Use Passive Ventilation

Passive ventilation moves air without the need for electricity. This makes it energy efficient. Passive air movement relies on the fact that warm air rises, so the hottest air is at the top of the attic. Soffit vents allow cooler outdoor air to be pulled in from the outside as hotter air escapes the attic through ridge vents on top of your roof.

This type of ventilation works all by itself to keep your attic cooler. However, the vents can't be obstructed. You'll need to install baffles over the soffit vents so insulation can't block them and allow heat to build up in your attic.

Add A Turbine Vent

A turbine vent also relies on passive ventilation. The turbine is a small vent fan that's installed on the top of the roof. As a breeze passes through the fan, the blades spin. When the blades spin, hot air is pulled from your attic. A turbine vent increases the amount of hot air pulled from your attic without adding to your power bill, so it's an energy-efficient option. However, the vent may not spin as much on a day when the wind is very still.

Use Solar-Powered Ventilation

Another energy-efficient attic ventilation solution is solar-powered ventilation. This is in the form of a solar vent or solar attic fan. These rely on solar power alone to power a fan that pulls hot air out of your attic.

Since wind isn't necessary, one of these fans can work every day all day long. They come with a small solar panel, so they don't need to connect to your home's electricity.

Use An Energy-Efficient Electric Attic Fan

The type of attic ventilation system you use might depend on your local climate, the orientation of your house, and the amount of shade on your roof. If other fans aren't appropriate, you may need an electric fan. Electric attic fans don't use a lot of electricity since they can be programmed to turn on when the temperature reaches a set level. However, they do use some electricity and the costs add up.

If you decide to get an attic van and have it hardwired to your home's electrical system, look for the most energy-efficient model you can afford. Look for a fan with the Energy Star label that indicates the fan will operate efficiently and be easier on your power bill.

To find out more, contact a company like TexUs Vent Pros.


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