In the McKinney and Allen area’s long, humid summers, good attic ventilation is essential both for keeping your home comfortable and for protecting it from damage. Being able to separate the myths from the facts on this subject helps ensure you get a ventilation system that does its job right.
• Myth: The more ventilation, the better.
Fact: While too little attic ventilation allows heat and humidity to build up, too much can result in uncontrolled air leaks and put your roof at risk for damage by high winds or nearby wildfires. Most attics do well with one square foot of vent space per 300 feet of ceiling space, but the amount varies from home to home.
• Myth: Roof vents are enough.
Fact: Some attics are built with only soffit vents, a single gable vent or some other system that doesn’t provide sufficient airflow. Those vents you see may not be doing much good at all. A continuous ridge-and-soffit system suits most attics, but even this isn’t always ideal.
• Myth: Ventilation chills your home in winter.
Fact: While this seems logical, in truth, vents don’t remove warm air from your home as long as you have enough attic insulation to keep the warm air in your rooms. During cool, damp weather, good airflow is even more important for preventing moisture and mold problems than it is in warm weather.
• Myth: Attic ventilation is unnecessary for cooler areas.
Fact: You may live in a cooler part of town or in the shade of surrounding trees, but without ventilation, your attic can still reach extreme temperatures and suffer from moisture damage.
• Myth: Roof ventilation is an exact science.
Fact: Although research has discovered certain best practices, no two houses or micro-climates are exactly the same. Study results can’t always be relied on. Ideally, your ventilation system should be designed by an experienced heating and cooling professional who understands the nuances of the job.
Get more information about the importance of an efficient attic ventilation system through Bill Joplin’s Air Conditioning & Heating or contact us today at 888-414-4655.
