An overheated attic can have a significant effect on the temperature in the rest of your home. Summer heat can cause the temperature in your attic to run as high as 150 degrees. When the attic gets that hot, the heat can radiate into your living spaces.

Your cooling system then has to work harder to keep you comfortable. Insulation and ventilation are the best ways to deal with an attic that’s running a temp. These two measures can ensure that your home stays comfortable, even when it’s scorching outside.

Attic heat affects your lower-floor living space because wood and other construction materials absorb the heat and then radiate it downward. The temperature rises, and you lose energy and money as your air conditioner or heat pump work harder to keep your home cool. Improving attic insulation and ventilation will relieve this problem by reducing the amount of heat that accumulates in your attic.

Insulation as a remedy

Insulation prevents the flow of heat into your attic and keeps that heat from displacing cooler temperatures. Check the walls, ceilings and floor of the attic. Use fiberglass roll or blanket insulation between the beams and joists. If you have irregularly shaped or hard-to-reach areas in the attic, loose-fill, pellet-style insulation will work. Use insulation that has a sufficient R-value for your geographical area. R-value indicates how well insulation resists heat flow. In the Denver area, insulation with an R-value of R49 to R60 should be used.

Ventilation as a remedy

Improved ventilation, or airflow, reduces attic temperature by moving hot air out of the space and cooler air in. An attic fan should be able to replace the entire volume of air at least 10 times an hour. This increased air circulation will effectively lower your attic temperature and additionally reduce moisture buildup that can cause structural damage.

Rheem Pro Partner is a leading provider of HVAC and home comfort equipment sales, maintenance and repair in metropolitan Denver. Contact us for more information on the benefits of attic insulation and ventilation.

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