Many homeowners experience problems with HVAC inefficiency and excess moisture due to failings in their home ventilation system. To avoid these issues, here are three common attic ventilation myths to avoid:
1. More ventilation is better
While a lack of ventilation can cause problems with reduced home energy efficiency during the summer and moisture buildup in the attic during the winter, having too much ventilation can be equally problematic. With each added attic vent, your roof’s structural integrity is reduced. This can increase vulnerability to wind damage and water intrusion from heavy rains. Work with your HVAC contractor to determine the precise amount of ventilation that your attic requires in order to avoid costly problems.
2. Attic vents are only for warmer climates
Most homeowners understand that attic ventilation helps improve energy efficiency in hot weather, by helping to keep your attic from becoming super-heated. However, proper attic ventilation also will help control moisture in your attic, which can lead to weakened insulation, mold growth and structural damage.
3. Attic vents will draw warm air out during winter
Many people fear that their attic vents will suck the warm air produced by their furnace out from their home. The truth is that proper attic ventilation is more important than worrying about the small amount of warm air that may be escaping through your vents. A greater concern with regard to losing heat is poor insulation or air leaks. If you have avoided proper attic ventilation because you’re afraid of losing heat through vents, it’s important to understand that upgrading your insulation will help keep your attic cool during the winter. This will prevent costly roof damage from ice damming (when snow melts from your warmed roof and re-freezes in the gutters).
For more advice on home ventilation systems, contact the professionals at Ernst Heating & Cooling.We provide quality HVAC services to the Metro-East area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Hamel, Illinois and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ventilation systems and other HVAC topics, visit our blog.
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