Humidity is generally lower during the winter because cold air naturally has a lower capacity for moisture than warm air. Consequently, moisture will not easily leave your house and will build up inside it when you heat up your home.  

The problem becomes more acute since attics are one common location for condensation to form due to humidity. Your home is at considerable risk of ice dams, mold growth, and even structural damage.   

That is where attic ventilation comes in; it removes heat and moisture from the attic by enabling fresh air to come into your home. It also prevents the formation of ice dams and prolongs the roof’s life.   

How You Can Benefit From an Attic Ventilation System

1. Attic Ventilation Regulates Indoor Temperature  

By circulating air through the attic, you can keep the temperature more consistent, reducing the energy required to heat and cool your home.  

2. Improved Energy Efficiency  

During the cold months, temperatures in Texas can go as low as 36 degrees Farenheight. This extreme cold can cause your air conditioner to work overtime to supply heat, driving up your energy bills. By keeping your attic cooler, you won’t have to rely on your air conditioner as much to keep your home comfortable. This way, you’ll lower your energy bills throughout the winter.  

3. Reduction in Ice Dams in Your Attic  

Heat escaping from your home can cause snow on your roof to melt. As the water runs down the roof, it can refreeze at the edges, forming an ice dam. The ice dam can prevent proper water drainage from your roof, leading to leaks and damage.  

4. Prevention of Mold and Mildew   

If your attic is poorly ventilated, it provides the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to thrive. Mold is unsightly and can also cause health problems. Also, mildew and mold need moisture to grow, so by circulating air through the attic, you can help keep the environment too dry for them to prosper.  

5. Attic Ventilation Helps Extend Roof Life   

Ice dams and other winter weather events will start accumulating on your roof. These ice dams cause heavy condensation on your attic ceiling, leading to severe damage like wood rot. Attic ventilation reduces the risk of the roof deck warping or damaged shingles.  

6. No Condensation  

Attic ventilation also discourages condensation from forming in your attic. Condensation can lead to mold and mildew, so it’s important to keep it under control.  

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Types of Attic Ventilation  

1. Intake Vents  

These vents are typically located near the eaves at the bottom of the attic. They allow fresh air to enter the attic, keeping the space cool and dry. Here are examples:  

2. Gable Vents 

These are the most popular type of intake vents. Gable vents act as both air intake and exhaust for your home. Air moves across the attic, exchanging air between the gable vents, as opposed to down to up. Cool air comes in from the soffit vents, and hot air rises and exhausts through whatever roof vents are on the roof. Ideally, gable vents will be found on a gable style roof like a barn roof.  

They can be found on a hip style roof. This is when a gable vent becomes more of an air intake only vent since there is no gable vent on the opposite side to communicate with.  

3. Soffit Vents 

Soffit vents are how we get fresh, cool air into the attic space. They are typically found underneath the eaves of the home. Usually, 1 square foot of soffit venting is enough for a 150 square foot attic.  

4. Exhaust Vents  

You can place them near the ridge at the top of the attic. They allow hot, moist air to escape from the attic, keeping the space cooler and drier. Some examples include:  

5. Turbine   

They work similarly to the turbines you see outdoors. They draw hot air and fumes up through the vent and out of the home.  

6. Ridge   

They regulate the temperature and moisture levels inside a house. They consist of a series of vents that allow air to flow in and out of the building. The vent is installed along the roof ridge, making it easier to suppress them in between the shingles to avoid compromising the outside home look.   

7. Attic Ventilation Fans  

These fans supply mechanical ventilation by bringing in cool outdoor air and releasing warm, humid air. In most cases, we would recommend solar attic fans. The brand HeatBusters uses is an Austin local, Solar Royal, and these fans are 100% solar powered.  

They have a thermostat that’s set by the manufacturer at 78 degrees Fahrenheit. As long as there is some sort of sun on the solar panel of the fan and the air stays around the same temperature, the fan will stay on, actively pulling hot air from the attic space.  

One fan is powerful enough to effectively vent an 1800 square foot attic space.  

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Reduce Energy Bills this Winter by Installing an Attic Ventilation  

Proper attic ventilation is essential for the winter as it is for the summer. The fan will help regulate the indoor temperature, hence not overworking your AC (considering how they consume lots of energy).   

Our team at HeatBusters will do this just for you. Contact us to learn more about our attic ventilation services and how we can help you improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency.