Tip of the Month

Poor Attic Ventilation Can Ruin Your Insulation, Destroy Your Shingles, and Raise Your Energy Bills!

Why Take Risks?
It is estimated that 9 out of 10 homes in North American do not have proper attic ventilation. Why? Because most people are unaware that attic ventilation can impact the longevity of their entire home!

For example, in the summer, an improperly ventilated attic can cause heat to build in excess of 160°F. This superheated air eventually penetrates the ceiling insulation into the living area below.

Types of damage that can result include:

• Premature aging of your roofing system (fried shingles)
• Warping, cracking, or breaking down of wood framing
• Damage to siding, exterior or interior paint, and wallpaper
• Higher energy costs

A properly ventilated attic can help reduce the load on your air conditioner by moving superheated air out of your attic before it builds up and causes damage.

In the winter, various household appliances, bathtubs, showers, and cooking vapors can contribute to excess moisture build-up. Improperly ventilated attics will allow this moisture to collect and cling to the underside of the roof. There, it will condense and fall, soaking the attic insulation and reducing its efficiency.

Additional structural damage can include:

• Roof deck warping and rotting of the wood frame
• Mildew growth
• Buckling of shingles and felt

Proper Attic Ventilation
Proper attic ventilation systems allow a continuous flow of outside air through the attic (see illustration at left), protecting the efficiency of the insulation and helping to lower temperatures in the living space.

It consists of a balance between air intake (at your eaves or soffits) and air exhaust (at or near your roof ridge).

The FHA (Federal Housing Administration) recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation (both intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic space. For example, if your attic is 900 square feet, you need a total of 3 square feet of ventilation. This amount is generally divided equally between intake and exhaust ventilation (i.e., 1-1/2 feet of each), to ensure proper air flow through the attic. To calculate the amount of ventilation you need for your home, follow the example below.

Calculating Your Ventilation Requirements
Example: Calculating the number of lineal feet of Cobra Exhaust Vent needed for a 30’x40′ attic:

Calculate attic square footage
How: Multiply length of attic (in feet) times width of attic (in feet)
30′ x 40′ = 1,200 square feet

Intake ventilation MUST be at least equal to exhaust ventilation. To determine the number of intake vents needed, select your vent and install enough vents so that their combined NFA is at least 288 square inches.

Remember:
Always have a balanced ventilation system. In no case should the amount of exhaust ventilation exceed the amount of intake ventilation.

Calculate NFA (Net Free Area) needed for this attic by using the “1 in 300” rule
How: Divide attic square footage by 300
1,200 sq. ft. ÷ 300 = 4 square feet of NFA needed