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Ideally, you want to keep your attic temperature within 10-20 degrees of the outside temperature. If the attic gets too hot in the winter, it can cause issues like mold and ice damming. In the summer, an excessively hot attic can cause high utility bills and can damage your roof.
How hot is an attic on a 100 degree day?
Thanks to the radiant heat affect, attic temperatures on a 100-degree day can reach 170 degrees or more.
Should your attic be the same temperature as outside?
Attic temperatures should be as close to outdoor temperatures as possible. The attic temperature should be no more than 10-20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature in the summer. Attic temperatures over130 degrees Fahrenheit can cause premature age shingles, overwork HVAC systems, and cause high energy bills.
How hot is too hot in my attic?
Note excessive heat – if it’s 90 degrees outside, the attic temperature shouldn’t be more than 110 degrees. More often than not, attic temperatures will be in excess of 125 degrees on a 90 degree day. This will overwork your air conditioning equipment, run up your utility bill and shorten the life of your roof.
How hot should the attic get?
The ideal attic temperature should be no less than 60 degrees in the winter and no more than 10 to 20 degrees above the outdoor temperature in the summer. If your attic temperature climbs above 130 degrees, you may start running into issues with your energy bill, as well as the integrity of your roof.
How do I know if my attic is too hot?
Hang an outdoor thermometer in your attic, making sure its range reaches at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Hang pencil and paper next to the thermometer and record the outdoor and attic temperatures for several hot days. * Note excessive heat.
How do I get hot air out of my attic?
Install electric ventilators and attic fans, which remove hot air from an attic. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100-110 degrees. Alternatively, install passive vents such as gable, soffit and ridge vents, which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.
What is the average temperature in an attic?
Attics can reach temperatures of 150 to 160 degrees F during a summer day, although outside air temperatures are only 95 to 97 degrees F.
Can an attic be too cold?
If your attic is too cold, it probably lacks sufficient protection from outside temperatures. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the average unimproved attic has just R-19 insulation – the insulation value of a five and a half inch thick fiberglass batt.
How humid should an attic be?
If there is too much moisture in your attic, it will condense on the upper portion of your roof deck which rusts the exposed nail, rots the deck, and could inspire mold to grow. Throughout winter, your home should have about a 35% to 50% humidity level. In many cases, the sources for moisture can vary.
How do I keep my attic cool in the summer?
To beat the heat, some of the most common solutions include installing fans, adding ventilation, installing an attic air conditioner or adding insulation. You may also want to invest in a new roof that is reflective if you intend to transform your loft into an extra room in your home.
Should I remove old insulation from my attic?
Your insulation needs to be removed along with the droppings, as it’ll carry some of its toxicity if left in your attic. Removing old insulation and replacing it with new ones will not only rid your home from any rodent infestation and mold, but also improve its energy efficiency and overall air quality.
How do I keep my attic cool in summer and warm in winter?
If your attic has windows, be sure to block the sun in the summer with heavy drapes or light-reflecting blinds. In the winter, open up the drapes or blinds, and let solar heat warm up your attic. Ensure attic windows are property caulked and insulated to prevent drafts and loss of heat.
Can a hot attic cause a fire?
Heating Elements As heat rises, attics are already hot places, especially in the summer when the temperature outside skyrockets. Your heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) may become overheated and catch fire because of the excessive heat.
How much ventilation is needed in an attic?
Most codes use the 1/300 rule for minimum residential attic ventilation recommendations. This means that for every 300 square feet of enclosed attic space, 1 square foot of ventilation is required – with half at the upper portion (exhaust vents) and half in the lower portion (intake vents).
Are attic exhaust fans worth it?
Attic fans do really work. They will help to circulate air in your attic and ventilate the space so that it stays closer to the outside temperature. Attics can reach extremely high temperatures in hot, summer months and gather an excessive amount of moisture in the winter. Attic fans will help fight these problems.
What temp should attic fan be set at in winter?
Attic Fan Temperature Setting Most attic fans operate with a thermostat that automatically turns the fan on and off based on a temperature the homeowner sets. Most manufacturers and contractors recommend a temperature setting between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
