QA

Quick Answer: How To Install A Turbine Roof Vent

Where should a turbine roof vent be installed?

Whirlybird® turbine vents should be located near the peak of the roof on the rear slope, exposed to the wind from all directions. When installing two, place each one ¼ of the total length of the roof peak from each end of the house.

Do turbine roof vents work?

Highly Effective. In low wind situations, turbine vents do an admirable job of moving warm air out of the attic areas of a property. However, when the wind is blowing, these vents turn into a powerful vacuum of warm air, drawing it up through the vent as effectively as any powered alternative.

How much does it cost to install a turbine vent?

Expect to pay $65 to $250 to install a roof turbine, including labor and materials. Units are priced $20 to $100 each. A pro can install one in an hour or two at a rate of $45 to $75, for a labor total of $45 to $150.

Are turbine roof vents better?

Roof turbines are more effective in winter than ridge vents As mentioned before roof turbines can vent more volume of air at a time than ridge vents. Since ridge vents work on the principle of convection they are not very effective during winter.

Do turbine roof vents leak?

Turbine vents are a type of exhaust vent. They have fins that open when they turn in the wind, and this spinning action creates suction that draws hot, humid attic air outside. Turbine vents can leak, but you don’t always have to replace the vent.

Do whirlybirds let rain in?

When installed by professionals, whirlybirds do not leak or let in rain. When there is no wind and the turbine is not spinning, the rain water simply runs down the outside of the fins on the whirlybird turbine.

Should you cover turbine roof vents in winter?

Roof ventilation is important year-round. You should absolutely leave your roof vents open during the winter – do not cover them! During the winter, roof ventilation works to keep temperatures even. Closing your vents makes the attic space too warm and dry – dangerous conditions for mold as well as pests.

Which is better ridge vents or turbines?

If you value a more subtle look, the ridge vent wins in that category. Still, despite running the entire length of your roof, ridge vents are static and won’t move air the same way turbines do. As long as there’s a healthy amount of wind to power them, turbine vents will provide superior ventilation for your attic.

Do turbine vents rust?

MAINTENANCE/CARE Some roof turbines have ball bearings that need maintained and lubricated every once in a while. Rust can also become a problem for some roof turbine models. To prevent rust, look for aluminum roof turbines.

What type of roof vents are best?

Which type of vent is best for my roof? In most cases, we recommend soffit vents for intake and a ridge vent for exhaust. For homes that cannot have a ridge vent, box vents are generally the second best option for exhaust.

How many roof vents do I need for my house?

A general guideline is homeowners need one square foot of roof vent for every 300 square feet of ceiling space, if your home has a roof with a vapor barrier, or 1:300. If not, you should have one square foot of roof vent for every 150 square feet, or 1:150.

Can ridge vents get clogged?

Ridge vents can easily become clogged as they are filled with dust, mold, mildew, or animals making nests near or in them. Most of the time, it will take several years for your ridge vents to become clogged, with most houses taking several years to get even some clogs.

How long do turbine vents last?

A single 12-inch-diameter turbine vent can provide a complete change of air in the attic space every 52 minutes if the outside breeze is just 5 mph. A 14-inch diameter unit can provide a complete air change in the attic every 14 minutes if the wind is 15 mph.

How do you stop a turbine vent from squeaking?

If the squeaking persists, or gets better but does not go entirely, try spinning the fins and spraying some more as the fins spin. Most of the time, this will be enough to cure your squeaking roof turbine vent.

Do whirlybird vents work?

The answer to the question “do whirlybirds work?” is yes. Whirlybirds work to remove hot air from roof voids, effectively ventilating the room or space below. This helps to keep houses and properties ventilated, clean, and prevent the accumulation of hot air.

What is a Globe vent?

Description. The FAMCO GBV globe vent is an economical gravity ventilator for use on residential, commercial and industrial applications. This vent is not rated for any forced exhaust applications. The FAMCO GBV features watertight construction and a low silhouette while offering positive draft for good airflow.

What are the best whirlybirds?

In terms of whirlybirds, the Windmaster is perhaps the most reliable of the lot.

What is a turbine vent?

Turbine vents (also known as whirly birds) work by using a drawing effect through convection (heat rising) to move the air in your attic around even when there is no wind. As long as this type of vent is installed properly, the air in your attic is moved around 10-12 times per hour.

Can you have too many whirlybirds?

The short answer is yes; you can install too man whirlybirds. However, there is not one significant reason why you might end up with too many whirlybirds, but many smaller reasons.

Do whirlybirds make your house colder in winter?

In fact, whirlybirds help expel moisture during winter months, keeping the air drier, and can help mitigate that ‘cold’ feeling from moisture in the air.