Do You Have A Hot Attic?
Temperatures are slowly coming down here in Chicagoland. But your energy bills may not be. Did you run your air conditioner more frequently over the past few hot months? If so, you may not have proper attic ventilation.
Heat From the Attic Warms the Entire House
A hot attic leads to high cooling costs and it’s normally because you have little to no attic ventilation. When the hot sun beats down on your roof, heat is absorbed into your attic space and gets trapped. Attic temperatures in summer can reach up to 170 °F degrees in an unventilated attic. If that hot air isn’t removed, the heat will eventually transfer to the living spaces below. This puts a heavy burden on your air conditioning system causing it to run longer and more frequently, and reduces the lifecycle of your AC system.
An Attic Fan Can Improve Attic Ventilation
An attic fan can improve attic air circulation by pulling in cooler outside air into the attic and out through exhaust vents. It can even be set to activate when your attic reaches a specified temperature. The EPA suggests keeping your soffit vents unblocked and free flowing to help keep the attic cool. It’s a key factor to a durable and energy-efficient home.
Cost Savings
Making improvements to your attic’s ventilation can create a net positive impact on your cooling bills. Attic ventilation is an affordable way to prevent heat buildup in your attic space but there is a balance needed. Having too many vents in your attic can create temperature fluctuations during the cooler weather months, while having too few will have little impact on dissipating the heat in the hot summertime. It’s more affordable than most people expect so it’s best to hire a professional inspect the current state of your attic.
Phoenix offers Free Home Inspections out in Chicagoland and Memphis. We have been installing attic ventilation systems for over 15 years. Not sure if your attic is properly ventilated? Call us for a free attic assessment today at (630) 677-7663
