Table of Contents
Best Way to Cool an Attic Install an Air Conditioning Unit. Seal the Cracks and Gaps. Upgrade the Insulation. Add Ventilation for Improved Circulation. Install Radiant Barriers. Install an Attic Fan. Add Reflective Roofing.
How can I reduce the heat in my attic?
4 Ways to Reduce Attic Heat in Your Home Seal spaces around plumbing, recessed lights and vents. Your attic can get as hot as 150 degrees in the summer. Install adequate insulation. Start by examining the insulation that is already in your attic. Install gable vents. Get an attic fan, and have it serviced regularly.
How can I cool my attic cheaply?
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.
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.
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.
Can I put a regular fan in my attic?
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.
Will venting my attic cool my house?
Attic ventilation fans help cool air your attic by pushing out the stifling hot air from inside the attic and bringing in cool air from outside. This prevents hot air from seeping into your home and driving up the temperature in the living space, which reduces the load on your air conditioner.
How can I cool my attic with no windows?
9 Ways to Cool a Room with No Windows Strategically Angle Fans. Install a Ceiling Fan. Use Some Ice and Fans to Cool Things Down. Portable Evaporative Coolers Are Also Useful. Install an Air Conditioner in Your Wall. Use a Portable Air Conditioner. Install a Ductless Air Conditioner. Keep Appliances Off.
Why is my attic so hot in the summer?
On hot summer days, the heat is going to radiate through the shingles and collect in your attic, creating hot air. The biggest reason why hot air fills up in your attic is due to poor ventilation. A lack of proper insulation and poor air sealing also contributes to why attics get so hot.
How can I warm up my attic?
How to Heat an Attic Seal any drafts from windows and doors. Install a mini split with a heat pump. Extend ductwork from central furnace up to attic. Install an electric fireplace that can be used when needed. Use a space heater to warm up the room when needed.
Can I put a box fan in my attic?
A box fan sucks air from its back and propels it forward. This makes it well suited to substitute for an attic fan, and you can install it yourself. No extensive remodeling of the attic must be done, since you will be able to use an existing attic vent.
What is the ideal attic temperature?
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.
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.
Do attic fans use a lot of electricity?
Attic fans are incredibly efficient. They use a fraction of the electricity your air conditioning system uses. They also decrease your need for air conditioning, which lowers your monthly utility bills.
Do attics need to be vented?
In the winter, warm, moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams. If you don’t see any attic vents on the roof or in the eaves, you need to add some.
When should I turn on my attic fan?
Attic fans work best at night when the outside temperature cools and that air is drawn into your warm home to cool it off.
Should attic vents be open in summer?
Although air should circulate year-round through the attic, your house will probably be more comfortable if you cover the foundation vents in the winter. They need to be open in the summer, however, to prevent the build-up of moisture that can seriously damage your foundation.
How hot is an attic on a 90 degree day?
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. Ridge vents help – excessive heat can escape through ridge vents.
