The research concluded that if a powered attic ventilator will be used there must be a good air barrier between the living space and the attic.
Powered attic ventilation problems.
But my contractor is suggesting adding one to support a whole house fan due to the limited attic ventilation.
Here are the most common problems that homeowners face with fans along with solutions to the problems.
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The science behind attic ventilation however is sound.
Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse.
Sealed attics trap excessive heat and moisture which can lead to reduced shingle life.
According to the article powered attic fans can create excess moisture structural problems and combustion safety in a home.
I do have some passive ventilation but not quite enough and the gables are maxed out because it s a flat roof so as long as i always run both fans at the same time and as.
Air movement can be a significant problem with some models.
If you choose solar attic fans over the traditional models then you are installing a product that will not be as powerful.
A lack of intake ventilation is one of the biggest items.
Another would be backdrafting a water heater and putting carbon monoxide in the house.
Attic ventilation problems can be caused by a number of things.
One potential problem would be sucking moist moldy air up from the crawl space into the house.
Attic fan not turning on.
This actually exacerbated the problem by increasing the pressure difference moving more humid outside air through the building cavity which created more condensation on the sheet metal duct.
At temperatures of 150 f or more that s a lot of heat sitting there in that plywood or osb.
If the attic fan isn t turning on it could be an electrical issue a problem with the thermostat or the motor of the fan that s not working.
In the winter we get calls about wet attics.
Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home.
More attic ventilation is good.
Power attic ventilators can cause problems even without air conditioning.
In the summer we get calls about hot attics.
I understand that powered attic ventilators have a lot of problems.
Although there are some benefits to this fact you may discover that there isn t enough strength to push the air out of the attic like you want.
These are real problems from real houses that have really happened.
Both of these problems are either caused or made worse by inadequate attic ventilation.
Here are some of the myths and the facts you need to know about attic ventilation.