Oddly, one of the keys to an energy-efficient home is perfect combination of ventilation and insulation. This is why it’s very important that Metro-Detroit-area homeowners don’t block the flow of air around the eaves when installing attic insulation.
Benefits of ventilation and insulation
In the summer, a well-ventilated attic helps to exhaust hot air and moisture, while proper insulation prevents heat from transferring into the house. During the winter, outdoor air enters and cools the attic, which helps prevent snow from melting and ice dams from forming and damaging the roof. Meanwhile, attic insulation keeps your winter heating from rising through the ceiling.
Using an attic fan
An attic fan can be a great choice for improving ventilation, but only under the right conditions. If your attic vents are blocked or if your attic isn’t properly sealed, an attic fan can draw conditioned air out of your home and into the attic. This results in your HVAC system having to work harder to provide cooling and heating, which translates to higher energy bills. The best way to prevent this is through proper attic ventilation and insulation.
Adequate insulation
Unfortunately, many homes today still don’t have a sufficient amount of properly-installed insulation. This can account for your upstairs rooms being too hot, as the heat in your attic can turn your ceiling into a giant heat generator. In our area, Energy Star recommends attics be insulated with a minimum R-value (thermal resistance) of 49.
It’s equally important that your attic ductwork is properly insulated. If the many joints found on the ducts aren’t properly sealed and insulated, the ductwork will actually be the same temperature as the attic and will create conditions opposite from the intended effect.
If you have questions regarding your attic ventilation and insulation, contact us today! Aladdin Heating and Cooling serves Ferndale, Rochester and the Metro-Detroit area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about energy efficiency and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Aladdin Heating services Novi, Farmington, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Oak Park, Ferndale, Beverly Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, Birmingham, Bloomfield Twp., Bloomfield Hills, West Bloomfield, Madison Heights, Clawson, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, St. Clair Shores, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Detroit, Utica, Shelby Twp., Rochester, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, Lake Orion, Oxford, and Clarkston.
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