By: Christina Barfield of B & M Roofing Contractors
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Improving your Attic Ventilation is one of the Wisest Home Improvements Available to you
By controlling the forces of nature that are effecting the efficiency and health of your home, we guarantee proper attic ventilation will give you the most "Bang For Your Buck" because it works year round, protecting you from mold and moisture problems in the winter and extreme heat in the summer. Proper ventilation of your attic is critical to the overall efficiency and health of your home. |
Ventilation serves two purposes: Exhaust Heat and Expel Moisture
Year round your roof is absorbing solar heat from the sun. In the summer months this heat has to be managed, otherwise it will radiate down in to your home, making the living and sleeping areas uncomfortably warm in the afternoon and evening. This problem is noticed especially with 2-Story, tri-levels and split-entry homes. Some homeowners notice a difference in their home the next day when we upgrade their roofing system and install proper
ventilation.
Excess attic heat will make your air conditioner run much longer than it needs to, causing your utility bill to be much higher than it needs to be. Proper attic ventilation allows heat to escape your attic, lowering temperatures throughout your home, making it efficient and comfortable.
SHINGLES— Improper attic ventilation will cause accelerated granular loss on your shingles, buckling, curling and rotting away of the plywood decking. This is all unnecessary cost that could have been prevented with proper attic Ventilation.
Your Shingles are one of the most important components of your home. Unfortunately, you may not have the full term warranty on your shingles because your attic is not vented to specifications. Shingle manufacturers know that if the attic is NOT vented properly, the shingles will fail prematurely.
MOISTURE AFFECTS EVERYTHING:
The average family generates 2-4 gallons of water into their home per day (which can end up in the attic) from cooking, showering, bathing and cleaning.
MOLD— Mold is often found in attics due to poor ventilation. Freezing temperatures create frost under the roof and mold is allowed to grow on the under surface of the roof, this is trapped moisture in a warm attic. Proper ventilation will expel moisture and heat from your attic in the winter time.
R-Value—High Humidity in your attic as mentioned above, will lower the R-Value of your insulation, causing your home to have a “Wet-Blanket” covering it. This damp insulation does just the opposite of what it is supposed to….it transfers heat out since it is wet, the molecules are closer together allowing heat to transfer out of your home.
Roof Decking— Condensation on the underside of your roof not only causes mold, but the OSB or plywood will absorb the moisture like a sponge and start to de-laminate and lose integrity. This leads to a promise of high expense when re-roofing, as now all the decking has to be replaced before new shingles can be installed.
Condensation— High Humidity in your home is often noticed by condensation on the windows. A little fog now and then is ok, but, large water droplets in the corners of the windows that puddle at the bottom... that is a sign of an underlying (or overhead) problems. Proper attic ventilation will lower the humidity in your home.
TIPS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR UTILITY BILLS
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Set the thermostat - The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly. Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered. When heating, your operating costs increase
for each degree your thermostat is raised.
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Keep the air filter clean - The easiest way to ensure your system operates efficiently and economically is by keeping the air filter clean. There are several types of air filters and several possible locations for the air filter.
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Keep vents and grilles unobstructed - Arrange your furniture and drapes so that all output vents and intake grilles are free from obstruction. This will reduce the cooling and heating load on your system, providing more economical operation.
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Avoid excessive use of exhaust fans - Excessive use of kitchen or bathroom exhaust fans will make your system work harder. This will increase energy consumption and costs. Keep costs in check by making wise use of exhaust fans.
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Use the AUTO setting - Generally, it is best to set your indoor fan to AUTO. This costs less and provides better humidity control in the summer.
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Control direct sunlight - Let the sun in during winter. Keep the sun out during summer. In summer, direct sunlight increases the load on your cooling system. Use of window shades and awnings will reduce the amount of direct sunlight and lower the cooling load. In winter, direct sunlight reduces the load on your heating system. Open blinds and awnings to increase direct sunlight and lower the heating load.
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Keep the condenser coil clean - The condenser coil (the unit outside your house) should be kept clean to ensure efficient operation. If the condenser coil becomes restricted by dirt, lint, paper, grass clippings, leaves, or other debris, system efficiency will deteriorate. Use a garden hose to keep the condenser coil clean.
Insulate air ducts - Be sure all air ducts are well-insulated. Ducts should also be sealed with a vapor barrier.
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Keep an air tight house - Ensure maximum retention of heated or cooled air by adding insulation to outside walls and to the attic. Seal cracks and use storm doors and/or insulated doors to prevent air leaks.
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Properly vent clothes dryers - Be sure your dryer is vented to the outside and aimed away from your outdoor unit.
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Keep heat away from the thermostat - Make sure no heat-generating appliances are near your thermostat. These include lamps, TVs, stereo and computer equipment.