Toledo Roofers: Article About Ventilation Problems
A cross breeze is what takes place in a room when the movement of air encompasses the entire space from one side to the other. In an attic, cross breezes allow hot air to ventilate to the outdoors.
Toledo OH roofing experts answer a commonly asked question: How does a homeowner know whether or not their attic has enough ventilation?A homeowner can access the attic space on a hot day. If the attic is more than 10 to 15 degrees hotter than the living spaces of the home, there is not enough ventilation. The presence of moisture is another sign that the attic is not well ventilated.
Attic ventilation may seem unimportant when that part of a house is not being used as living space, but a poorly ventilated attic can have considerable consequences of indoor comfort as well as the roof's performance. An inspection by expert Toledo roofers or an energy auditor can determine what types of ventilation systems are in place and whether or not they are performing up to the level they should be.
The most popular type of ventilating equipment used in residential attics is a whole house fan. An electrician hard wires the appliance into the home's electrical system to provide it with power. The fan is also connected to the home's central heating and cooling system. A heating and air conditioning technician can program the fan to turn on when the interior of the home reaches specified humidity or temperature levels. Manual activation of the fan is also possible by using a programmable touchscreen thermostat or if the fan is connected to a switch. A whole house fan ventilates the entire attic space and blows the hot indoor air to the outdoors.
Roofing experts from Johnson Roofing of Toledo OH would be happy to answer any questions you have about residential roofing or commercial roofing.
When the fan is running, it is able to cool down the inside of the home by at least 10 degrees Fahrenheit while using just a fraction of the power required by a central air conditioning unit.
Another important component of attic ventilation is the placement of gable vents. These passive vents allow the development of a cross breeze. A cross breeze keeps the air moving through the attic, and no electricity or mechanical devices are needed.
Ridge vents also work to ventilate the attic area. These vents are situated along the peak of the rooftop. Because hot air rises, the hottest air in the attic space will escape through the openings in these vents. This is also a passive ventilation system that requires no mechanical or electrical inputs.
Some homes are outfitted with box vents. When there is no space for a gable vent, box vents help to create the desirable cross breeze effect. Box vents are situated along the sloped areas of the roof and look like boxes popping up and out of the roofing material.
The best way to achieve ideal attic ventilation is through a combination of all of these vent and fan types. Any of these vents can be installed when a roof is being replaced, although they tend to be more successful at optimizing air flow when they are put into place while the home is being built rather than as a retrofit.
