Attic Ventilation Houston
The term attic ventilation refers to the process of exchanging the air in your attic with fresh air from outside your attic. Generally, this is accomplished with soffit ventilation and roof ventilation. In order to have an energy efficient home and attic, you should have at least 2.5 air exchanges an hour in your attic. That is, 2.5 times an hour, your attic should have the old air replaced with new outside air. This removes the air quickly enough to prevent heat buildup in the attic and removes Carbon Monoxide, pesticides and other pollutants.
Soffit Ventilation
There are several different types of soffit ventilation. The most common are the rectangle shaped vents on the overhang of the roof or eave. We prefer this type as they are the quickest, easiest and least destructive to retrofit into an existing home.
Roof Ventilation
Most homes with have either large or small manual vents. These are basically covers placed on top of holes cut into the roof to allow air move through. These are all that is required when a new home is built however, they are not designed for energy efficiency.
Roof turbines
Roof turbines or "whirlybirds" can economically increase the air flow through the attic. The are round in shape with fins cut all the way around them and turn when the wind blows against them. They are a minor improvement over manual vents.
Powered fans
A powered fan is connected to your home's electrical system and can be a good solution for attics with a lot of airspace. These should always be installed with a thermometer that will turn the fan on only after the attic reaches a certain temperature.
Solar powered fans
Solar powered fans are a great solution for most attics. They do not cost any money to run as all the energy needed is received from the sun. The upfront cost is slightly more however, you'll save money in the long run by not having to pay to operate it. The solar cell is mounted directly on the roof facing south or southwest. This allows for maximum sunlight on the cell when it is hottest out and keeps it running until the sun goes down. This is one of our most recommended options and usually the best choice for most attics.
