Attic ventilation is crucial to a comfortable home environment, and it offsets problems such as high attic temperatures, mildew, and mold. Attic vents remove moisture and hot air, which results in substantial energy savings. Read on to learn how attic ventilation affects various factors throughout the home.
How Attic Ventilation Works
Anyone who’s ever had to go up into the attic during the summer knows how hot it can get. Thankfully, insulation prevents much of this heat from getting into the home, but sometimes, it isn’t enough. Proper ventilation, installed by Residential HVAC Contractors in Austin, facilitates air circulation and offsets the strain put on the insulation by pushing heated air out of the home’s attic.
Types and Availability of Attic Vents
As said before, attic vents create air circulation. The most common types include:
• Power vents: These are sometimes referred to as PAVs. They look like box vents, but they come with solar- or electric-powered fans that draw hot air and moisture outward. Advanced models have humidity detectors and thermostats.
• Ridge vents: These sit along horizontal ridges, preventing cold and hot spots inside the attic.
The Role of Attic Fans in Ventilation
Along with vents, the attic’s ventilation system may benefit from the use of fans. There are different types, with each offering unique benefits. Homeowners’ options include:
• Whole-house fans: A whole-house fan greatly reduces cooling costs. It’s fitted in the home’s attic and used at night when temperatures are lower. When on, a whole-house fan draws cool air in through open windows and into the attic, displacing heated air.
• Ventilation fans: These fans are usually mounted to exterior walls at attic level. While they blow hot air out of the home’s attic, they can draw cool air out if there’s insufficient insulation.
Improving Ventilation to Save on Cooling
Ultimately, improving attic ventilation may have a positive effect on utility bills, but it requires a delicate balance. Too many vents may cause wintertime temperature fluctuations, and too few won’t dissipate summer heat. It’s best for homeowners to consult Residential HVAC Contractors in Austin who can help them choose the right ventilation system, maximize energy savings, and install these systems properly. Visit Jsairaustin.com or call today to schedule service.
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