Improper Attic Ventilation and Your Home

      At a time when energy costs are high, many families may be seeking a way to reduce their energy bill. Many homeowners may be unaware that improper attic ventilation can lead to increases in their monthly energy bill. During warmer days when temperatures reach the seventies or eighties, which is quite commonplace here in sunny California, homes with improper attic ventilation can have attics that reach scorching temperatures of over one hundred and thirty degrees. When an attic gets this hot because it does not have proper ventilation to help the heat escape, the heat accumulates and fills up the attic space. After this heat builds up, it begins to work its way downward into the living space. Once this heat infiltrates the living space, homeowners are forced to crank up their air conditioners, which, of course, increases their energy costs.
      Most homeowners are not concerned with the heat at this time of the year, however, especially with the cool winter that California seems to be having. But cool weather poses its own problems with regard to homes and improper attic ventilation. When temperatures outside drop, most homeowners heat up their living rooms to keep warm. It is well known that heat rises, so not only are the living quarters of the home being warmed but the attic is as well. Once the attic heats up water vapor begins to accumulate in the attic. This water vapor then condenses in the attic. Condensation can lead to wood rot and deterioration of the insulation of the home.
      Other problems that homeowners face when their homes have improper attic ventilation are those associated with the roof. Going back to the summertime again, when temperatures reach the seventies or eighties, attics reach scorching temperatures. When the attic becomes this hot, roofing materials begin to deteriorate. Sooner or later, that summertime heat will translate into leaks in the roof when those winter rains come.
      There are several ways in which attic ventilation may be improper. First of all, the structure of your home needs a sufficient number of adequate vents. Attics can be inadequately ventilated when vents chosen for the home are improper in size, or when they are placed at improper locations within the home. A homeowner should also check to make sure that there is adequate insulation installed in the attic. A homeowner should also make sure that vents in the attic are not blocked, because if they are, ventilation will be restricted. Moreover, a homeowner will want to make sure that the vent area for the attic space allows for cross ventilation. Finally, a homeowner will want to make sure that there is an adequate combination of high and low vents to allow for air circulation through the attic. Any of these inadequacies can lead to potential problems for homeowners.
      Homeowners should inspect their attics to make sure that ventilation is adequate. If a homeowner has any questions about it, or is unsure, then contacting a professional contractor will go a long way to preventing a lot of needless repair work, on the one hand, and a lot of needlessly expensive energy bills on the other hand.

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