Attic Ventilation In The Winter

Warm air that escapes rooms below gets trapped in the attic.

Attic ventilation in the winter.

In the winter allowing a natural flow of outdoor air to ventilate the attic helps keep it cold which reduces the potential for ice damming snow that melts off a roof from an attic that is too warm and then re freezes at the gutters causing an ice dam that can damage the roof. In the winter the vents will cause the attic to become cold but this should not damage your home or increase the energy use of your home so covering the roof vents is not necessary. Roof vents allow air to circulate through your attic and exit your home. Poor insulation is usually the culprit although if you enter the attic on sunny winter day your attic space can be warmed by the sun more than your furnace.

You would think that venting an attic would be counterintuitive in the winter or cold months. Stop the air leaks things get a whole lot better winter and summer. Effective attic ventilation systems reduce damaging heat and moisture in your attic promote energy efficiency by helping to reduce the load on your air conditioner in the summer and also reduce the risk of ice dam formation on your roof. See the benefits of attic ventilation a new roof is more than just shingles.

Attic ventilation fans offer mechanical ventilation using a fan to draw in cool outside air and force out warm moist air. During cold winter months the attic vent fan is not necessary. Attic ventilation in the winter. Snow melts and the water refreezes on the cold eaves creating ice dams.

The problem isn t not enough attic ventilation the solution isn t more attic ventilation. Air is drawn in through the attic fan and air is expelled through the roof vent system to keep your attic cooler and drier preventing ice and moisture issues throughout the winter. Warm air that escapes living space also carries moisture that will condense on rafters or roof sheathing. While heat migrates in the summer because your attic is acting as a giant pressure cooker in the winter the attic space is colder allowing more room for the heat to rise and bring all that warm cozy.

Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Thick ridges of ice on your eaves in winter are a sign of poor attic ventilation. The problem is air leaks between your house and your attic. Blocking the vents can even harm your home by trapping moisture inside the attic.