An attic can get very hot in the summer, reaching temperatures of 100 to 150 degrees. When it gets this warm, heat radiates into your living space, forcing your air conditioner to work harder.
An attic can also get humid in the summer. Leaks, water vapor and improper venting of exhaust fans and appliances into an attic can make this area humid and can eventually cause damage.
You can minimize problems with excessive heat and moisture by making sure your attic is ventilated. Ventilation creates airflow that cools the space and moves moisture out of the attic. You can improve the ventilation in your attic by:
- Installing a ventilating fan. An attic fan keeps air constantly moving in that space. To be most effective, an attic fan should be able to replace the entire volume of air in the attic 10 times per hour. Ask your trusted HVAC provider for help with getting the properly sized fan for your attic.
- Sealing air and water leaks, gaps or other openings in the roof and attic floor. Find the locations where water comes in, where water vapor tends to form and where air is escaping. Seal problem spots with latex or silicone caulking, weatherstripping or foam insulation, as appropriate.
- Redirecting appliance or other indoor ventilation from the attic to the outdoors. If you vent your clothes dryer or bathroom or kitchen fan into the attic, you’re sending a constant stream of moist air into this space. Make sure all of your appliances and exhaust fans are vented to the outside.
- Making some construction changes. Replace solid soffit panels with ridged vents, put ventilating ridge baffles on the rafters in the attic, and install gable and dormer vents as needed.
Rheem Pro Partner is the Denver area’s reliable source of home comfort and equipment sales, maintenance and repair. Contact us for more information on attic fans and ventilation and what you can do to keep your attic cooler, drier and better ventilated.
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