Intake and Exhaust
"Ventilate" comes from the Latin word for "to fan." Simply put, it's the action of moving air. Out with the hot. In with the cool. And that's exactly how ventilation works. It provides conditions that allow air to flow. Every time stale, overheated air in your home or attic is vented out and fresh air is pulled in to replace it, you have what is known as an "air exchange."
A balanced system
But ventilation is much more than a simple breeze blowing through your house. It's a process that provides a steady, high volume of air movement. Think about it as a system of components, all sized and positioned to provide constant intake and exhaust of air.
Benefits of Attic Ventilation
A well-ventilated attic will help reduce your energy costs several ways. Improved air circulation in the summer months will help remove hot air and reduce the temperature of your attic. This will keep the hot, stagnant attic air from seeping through into your living area. It will also help reduce the surface temperature of your attic floor and your interior ceilings.
The reduced temperature in your attic will also assist your air conditioner by keeping the ductwork and the air inside cooler. The resulting effect will be cooler air flowing through your HVAC system and reduced strain on your a/c unit.
Extend the Life of Your Roof
When your attic heats up, the roofing underlayment beneath your roof shingles can also heat up and, over time, become brittle and ineffective. By lowering your attic temperature you can extend the life of your roof and save the expense of repairs and replacement.
Remove Moisture and Reduce Harmful Mold and Mildew
During the winter months, warm, moist air from inside your home rises into the attic and collides with the colder underside of the roof. Proper attic ventilation can help remove the moisture and condensation that can build from this event.
Fight Ice Dams
If you live in an area that has snow, the warmer attic air will heat the roof and melt the snow which drips to the eaves where it can refreeze as ice and form ice-dams under the eaves. These ice-dams will cause water to work back up under the shingles into the attic and down to the ceiling.
