Inadequate Attic Ventilation Can Overwork Your AC

Struggling to Stay Cool This Summer? Attic Ventilation Could be to Blame

As we move into the height of the summer and temperatures begin to rise, your AC will need to work harder and longer to maintain that comfortable temperature that you’ve grown accustomed to inside your home. However, if you’re still struggling to stay cool, even with your AC running 24/7, your attic ventilation could be to blame.

It’s possible that you’ve been living in a home with improper attic ventilation for years without noticing or having any issues because most attic ventilation problems arise during temperature extremes. In the summer, improper ventilation will cause extremely hot temperatures to develop in your attic space. With no way to escape, the hot air can be forced down into your home from above. Additionally, if you have AC ducts running through your attic, the hot air surrounding the ducts will heat the cool air running through them causing your AC unit to work harder and less efficiently.

How Does Attic Ventilation Work?

Attic ventilation is pretty much what it sounds likeؘ—it’s the act of circulating air in-to and out-of an attic with an attic fan. Attic fans work by pulling cool air in through soffit vents located at roof base where the edge of the roof meets the house. As cool air is being pulled in, an attic fan simultaneously draws hot air up and vents the air outside of your home.

How to Determine if You Need Better Attic Ventilation

1. On a hot day, touch the ceiling on the inside of your home. If the ceiling feels hot, that’s an indication that the temperature inside your attic is reaching extremes.

2. Walk outside and look around the eaves of your roof for attic vents. If you don’t see any vents, it’s possible that your vents could be located in a different area of your roof. Ridge vents are found along the peak and gable vents are louvered openings located at the top of gables. If you don’t see any of these style vents, you could have a ventilation issue.

3. If you have an attic fan, check to see if your fan is still running. If your fan isn’t running, a broken fan motor could be the cause of your ventilation problems. Luckily, replacing your motor is a simple fix to a big issue. To replace your motor, determine what model fan you have and find the motor that fits your particular unit. Here a few types of replacement fan motors that could help:

• Attic Fan Motor & Blade Kit –Fits 1050 and 1200 CFM
• Attic Fan Motor Ventilator – Fits Broan 97009317 99080267
• Attic Fan Blade Propeller – 12” 32 Degree 5 blade

For more attic fan parts, check out the attic fan replacement part section of our website. Can’t find what you need? Let us know and we’ll try to find it for you!