Adequate roof ventilation not only helps prevent moisture damage, but also helps lower your cooling costs. Here’s how a well-ventilated attic can help you save on cooling costs in summer below:
How Adequate Attic Ventilation Lowers Cooling Costs
Warm air is lighter than cold air, so it will eventually make its way to your attic. However, if your attic doesn’t have enough exhaust vents, warm, humid air becomes trapped there. Aside from increasing the risk of mold damage (the trapped warm, humid air creates a damp environment that’s the perfect breeding ground for mold), the trapped warm air in your attic also increases the strain on your HVAC system. Eventually, unventilated air in your attic will come down and force your HVAC system to consume more electricity. To prevent this from happening, you need to make sure your attic is adequately ventilated.
How Much Ventilation Does Your Roof Need?
As a general rule, there should be a square foot of net free area (NFA) (the area through which air can pass through) for every 300 square feet of floor area for attics with a vapor barrier. As for attics that don’t have a vapor barrier, there should be a square foot of NFA for every 150 square feet of attic floor space.
Important note: not all air vents can provide the same level of ventilation. To find out which vent types are best suited to your home and local climate, consult an experienced roof replacement contractor.
Why More Ventilation Isn’t Necessarily Better
Keep in mind that adding more air vents in your attic isn’t necessarily better. That’s because adding more air vents than necessary increases the number of roof penetrations and, by extension, the risk of roof leaks. If you’re not sure your attic is adequately ventilated, it’s best to consult an experienced roofer.
Christian Brothers Roofing, a family-owned company with more than two decades of experience, offers a wide range of professional roofing services, including roof repair and replacement services. To get a free estimate, call us at (270) 715-1999, or fill out this form.
