If you are a typical homeowner, you probably haven’t given much thought to proper attic ventilation. Because attics tend to be out of sight and out of mind, you may not realize how the heat buildup within them can contribute to your energy bill. In order to reduce cooling costs and improve your overall comfort, be sure to evaluate the ventilation of your attic.

• Examine your need. Give your attic ventilation the once-over to determine if you have a problem. If you’re not sure if your attic is properly ventilated, you should take a look at your shingles. Common signs of an attic that is poorly ventilated and overly hot are asphalt shingles that have curled-up corners or shingles with bulges. You will also need to look at your vents to see if they are clogged with debris, inhibiting them from doing their job properly.
• Consider an attic fan. If you determine that your attic ventilation is not adequately cooling the space, you may consider installing an attic fan. This is a simple and low-cost solution to your problem with an overheated attic. Choose from two basic styles of attic fans: Roof fans are installed by cutting an opening close to the roof’s peak and placing the fan over the opening, while a simpler installation is accomplished through a gable wall fan. If you already have attic vents in your gable, you can place the fan behind it, removing the need for structural alterations.
• Enjoy the benefits. Whether your attic ventilation simply needed a little spring cleaning to improve efficiency or you decide to invest in an attic fan, paying attention to the ventilation in your attic will benefit your home comfort, as well as your wallet. Considering that your attic can become as hot as 150 degrees, accounting for 20 percent of your cooling bill, proper ventilation is extremely important. Additionally, ensuring that your attic does not overheat can extend the life of your roofing materials.

For further advice and information on proper attic ventilation, contact the experts at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air. We proudly serve Asheville and surrounding areas.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about attic ventilation  and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!