Why You Should Keep Your Attic Cold This Winter
- Balance Temperature With Outside Air. Your attic is a cold zone, which means it should be the same temperature as the outside air. ...
- Prevent Ice Dams Caused by Melting Snow. ...
- Prevent Moisture Damage on Roof Deck. ...
- Install Better Insulation. ...
- Make Sure Attic is Well Ventilated. ...
- Contact Hi-Tech Windows & Siding. ...
What is the ideal temperature for an attic?
What Is The Ideal Temperature For An Attic? In the winter, your attic should not be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, and in the summer, it should not exceed 10-20 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. Should Clothes Be Stored In Climate Control?
Why do you need an attic fan in the winter?
Your satisfaction with attic fans will depend on several factors, such as:
- The climate you live in
- The kind of attic fan you install
- Your goal (energy savings vs comfort vs ventilation)
- Air sealing
How to fix Frost in Attic?
What causes ice in attics?
- High humidity in homes First of all, if the relative humidity of air in your home is too high, work to lower it. ...
- Attic ventilation: Attic ventilation is essential to prevent ice in roofs, be certain that your roof ventilation is able to do its job. ...
- Ceiling air barriers:
Why is there Frost in my attic?
- Build your structure (where possible) in an elevated position with good natural drainage.
- Place a vapor retarder under floor (gravel or concrete)
- Ventilate enclosed building when concrete is being poured, and continue to ventilate until it is cured.
Why is my attic cold in the winter?
In fairness to attics, having cold spots throughout your home can result from a combination of problems. Air infiltration, leaky ducts, and improperly sized HVAC systems all contribute. Attics aren't the only culprit, but they're a very common one. They can also make those other problems worse.
What temp should my attic be in winter?
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.
Does attic stay warm in winter?
Even if your attic is too cold in the winter, it's likely that the temperature inside your attic will still be higher than the temperature outside during summer months. Roof shingles absorb a great deal of the sun's heat, especially if they're dark in color.
How do I keep my attic warm in the winter?
How Can I Keep My Attic Warm In The Winter?Block windows. Just like you'd use heavy drapes to block the cold in your living room, it's necessary to cover areas where leaks promote temperature shifts. ... Insulate the space. ... Extend your ductwork.
Should I leave my attic door open in winter?
You want to keep your attic cool in winter, with plenty of air circulation. Attic ventilation can prevent ice dams, moisture issues, and prevent mold growth.
How can I add heat to my attic?
How to Heat an AtticSeal 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.
Should I put a heater in my attic?
Using your attic clears storage space If you have your furnace in the garage, the basement or a closet, you lose that space for storage. Attics are often left empty, making them a good choice for the furnace and freeing up storage space elsewhere.
Why is the attic colder than outside?
As heat escapes your home from cooking, cleaning, showering, and the act of heating your house, the hot air will rise and begin to accumulate in the attic. As this air becomes trapped, it will create an environment that is slightly warmer than the outside temperatures.
Is my attic supposed to be hot?
What is the ideal attic temperature? 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 do I stop my attic from getting cold air?
Pick up some high R-value insulation from your local home improvement store and staple it directly over the top of your attic door. Next, apply self-adhesive weatherstripping to the edges of your attic door so it creates a stronger and more secure hold.
How much heat is lost through the attic?
As much as 85 percent of the heat lost in a house passes through the attic. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that boosting attic insulation can lower heating costs by 10 to 50 percent (depending on the current level of insulation).
Why is my attic cooler than my house?
Inside your home, the outside walls and ceilings of the rooms are insulated, and the wood framing is covered with drywall. In the attic there is no insulation from the exterior (roof) and no drywall on the framing. This allows much more heat gain in the attic as compared to the interior of your home.
The Purpose of an Attic
If your home has a pitched roof, then it most likely has an attic as well. Pitched roofs are common in places that experience snowfall and/or heavy rain, as these roofs distribute weight evenly to ensure they won’t collapse under heavy pressure. In homes that have high ceilings and/or a raised roof, the traditional attic is absent.
What Should the Temperature Be In an Attic?
To be honest, maintaining an ideal temperature in the attic is not the easiest thing to achieve, but this doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Furthermore, it’s something you have to do, for if the temperature isn’t correct, then your house could be at risk and you may be paying more than you have to.
Maintaining an Ideal Temperature in the Summertime
When it’s quite hot outside, then it’s likely your attic will be the hottest part of your home. This is especially true if your attic lacks proper ventilation. When there isn’t proper ventilation in your attic, then hot air can become trapped between the insulation and the roof, turning your attic into a large oven.
Maintaining an Ideal Temperature in the Wintertime
When the temperature outside drops in the wintertime and your attic isn’t prepared for this, then some cold-specific problems could be on the horizon for your home. Of all the parts of your home, the attic will be exposed to cold weather the most.
Which Is Worse for Attics: Summertime or Wintertime?
One might be able to say that there’s more at risk with a cold attic than a hot attic, but in either case you don’t want to take any chances. It’s best to ensure your attic is the right temperature year round, and this can be done by taking necessary action when it’s required.
The Importance of Proper Attic Ventilation
It’s been said numerous times by now that an attic requires proper ventilation, but a whole section is necessary to explain why attic ventilation is paramount. Ventilation is arguably the most important factor when it comes to determining temperature in an attic.
How to Get Good Attic Ventilation
When it comes to attic ventilation there are two main ventilation systems: passive ventilation and active ventilation. Both systems are briefly explained below.
Why Is Attic Ventilation Important?
Proper attic ventilation protects against many troublesome home problems, making your house more comfortable indoors. It protects your roof against damaging moisture problems, including:
Attic Ventilation Solutions
For good attic insulation, one square foot of ventilation is recommended per every 300 cubic feet of space within the attic. A 1:1 ratio of intake and exhaust vents is needed to ensure proper airflow through your attic. Roof vents allow for natural attic ventilation, but mechanical solutions are also available.
Attic Ventilation To-Do List
In addition to the attic ventilation solutions above, there are more steps you can take to prevent moisture issues in your attic and help maintain proper attic ventilation throughout the winter:
Winter Attic Ventilation Help on HVAC.com
HVAC.com is here to help with your attic ventilation issues this winter! Review our informative resources to learn about attic ventilation systems and solutions. For customized attic ventilation solutions for your home, work with a trusted, local HVAC contractor.
Why do attics cause problems in winter?
To understand why attics cause problems in winter, it helps to know a little building science. Inside a closed structure, warmer air travels vertically. Because it's less dense than the cooler air around it, the warmer air is pushed upward until it eventually escapes from the structure altogether.
Why do I feel cold in my attic?
It's a common problem. In fairness to attics, having cold spots throughout your home can result from a combination of problems. Air infiltration, leaky ducts, and improperly sized HVAC systems all contribute.
What insulation should I use for my attic?
Adding blown-in fiberglass or cellulose on top of your existing insulation. Compared to batts, blown-in, or loose fill, insulation does a better job of covering your entire attic floor. It gets into the tight spaces that most batts don't cover properly.
Why won't my furnace heat my house?
The heat won't be even throughout your home because the furnace hasn't run long enough to distribute the air. You'll have hot spots and cold spots. Leaky ductwork: When some areas of your home are colder than others, you might have leaky supply ductwork leading to those spaces.
How does a home lose heat?
Basically, your home loses a lot of heat through your attic unless you: Have an adequate thermal barrier to reduce heat loss. Insulation, whatever the material, typically serves as a thermal barrier. Have an adequate air barrier to stop the warm air from escaping.
Is there insulation in the attic?
It's true that nearly all homes have insulation in the attic, and having some insulation is definitely better than none, but…. Insulation reduces heat loss , but it does nothing to combat air leakage around ceiling penetrations. It's a thermal barrier - not an air barrier.
Do you need an air barrier in the attic?
Beef up your attic's thermal and air barriers. Only a small percentage of homes have an adequate air barrier between the attic and the living space. Everything from ductwork penetrations to whole-house fans allow large volumes of conditioned air to escape from your home, leaving uncomfortable cold spots beneath.
Why do I need a roof ridge?
The roof ridge helps to keep the unfinished attic space dry but also provides ventilation which allows outside air to flow from the soffits, to the peak of the roof. That prevents an excessive build-up of summer heat from accumulating in the attic.
Is it important to use an attic?
If you are not using attic, it does not really important if it is cold or hot, but generally it influences the thermal efficiency of your house, if attic is properly insulated your expenditure of heating/cooling of the house will reduce. So supposed is a bit “funny” word in your question
How hot is the attic in summer?
Remember that the attic is often 120 degrees F during the summer. That intense heat is heating the ducts (even insulated ones like this). Uninsulated sheet metal, like that used for many duct distribution systems transfers that heat right into the air that’s supposed to be cooling your house.
What is the hottest part of the house?
The attic is the hottest part of the house in the summer and is cold in the winter. Hot air rises up to the attic / cold falls drops into the living space. Moisture rises and accumulates in the attic. Central heating/AC systems and ductwork are often in the attic.
Is the attic cold in winter?
The revers is true in the winter. The attic is cold. With poor insulation, your ceiling might be 40-50 degrees F. That cools the air in your room, which drops down on you with a cold draft.
Does fiberglass insulation move air?
That’s a sure sign of air moving up through the insulation. Note that this isn’t mold – it’s dust – the fiberglass acts as an air filter for all the air moving up through it! This should give you enough to know how to inspect your attic and look for problem areas.
Can you stop air from rising in the attic?
Stop air and moisture from rising up to the attic. Yes – this is the most important thing. Unfortunately, it can be challenging. In order to do it properly, you’ll need to inspect the ducts, any mechanical systems (fans, AC units etc.) and the entire attic floor.
Can metal vents get cold?
During the winter, the reverse is true, and that metal gets cold. In fact, if you put your hand in front of your ceiling vents during the winter, you probably feel cold air coming out when the system isn’t running.
Can roof decks get cold?
During the winter, most attics are ventilated, so they get cold. And the roof deck exposed to the attic gets really cold – cold enough to lead to condensation problems if too much moisture accumulates up there. Think about your bathroom mirror – that mirror is at room temperature, maybe 72F.
Block windows
Just like you’d use heavy drapes to block the cold in your living room, it’s necessary to cover areas where leaks promote temperature shifts. This can be particularly chilling in the winter; after all, your attic is at the peak of your house and receives the brunt of the wind’s frigid force.
Insulate the space
One of the best ways to ensure a warm space is by insulating the walls of your home. This is especially necessary in your attic. If you dislike the thought of exposed insulation on your walls, you can always cover this space with another layer of drywall to blend it seamlessly with the rest of your home.
Extend your ductwork
Many homes aren’t built with ductwork leading into the attic. This is typically because most attics were initially meant as storage locations for excess goods. But as families begin entertaining in every room of their home, it might be time to extend your ductwork to the attic to deliver warming, comfortable heat.
How to tell if attic is losing heat?
You’ll be able to tell if your attic is losing heat in the wintertime – take a look at your roof after a snowfall – are you seeing icicles and patches of melted snow? That’s a sign of heat loss.
Why is my attic not ventilated?
Let’s address this problem from the very top: your attic. If your attic is not properly ventilated and insulated it can be the culprit of a home that will cost you, either through your furnace running over time , or through damage because the structure can’t adapt to the winter season.
Is ice damming an issue?
Ice Damming. Ice damming is more likely to be an attic issue than one with your eavestroughs. Too little insulation at the perimeter of the attic can result in heat loss coming in contact with cold air, creating condensation and freezing.
Can insulation cause ice dams?
Amateurs tend to pile the insulation too high, blocking out the soffit (attic intake) vents, which cuts off all ventilation in the attic. If you aren’t careful, this can lead to ice dams, which can cause major damage to a roof.
Can foam board be used in an attic?
Foam board can be used on an attic hatch, but wouldn’t be used to insulate the entire space, generally being reserved for exterior wall sheathing or basement walls. Blown-In Insulation. The most common type of insulation you’ll find in attics.