Attic Fan Vs Insulation

Get the basics in your attic right and you will not need to invest in radiant barriers attic fans or more insulation.

Attic fan vs insulation.

If we assume that the outside air is 10 f warmer than the desired. Instead of spending money on radiant barriers attic fans or levels of insulation above an r 40 investing duct sealing and shade screens would make more sense. The alternative would be to install an attic fan that would draw cooler outside air into the attic while expelling the hot air. Once you ve decided which type is best for you examine the material options and prices to home in on the right product.

Both can be added to uninsulated attics or layered over existing material. Lowering attic temps it is not an accurate statement to say that if you have good insulation you don t care what the attic temperature is. One static vent style is the turbine vent which uses wind to power its enclosed fan all it takes is a light breeze to rotate the blades and suck heat out of the attic view example on the home. Without ventilation unfinished attic spaces can end up having stagnant air.

Insulation or lack of it air leaks soffit vents the stack effect ridge vents attic fans recessed lights pull down stairs radiant barriers and all the ducts and or hvac equipment frequently located in attics. Loose fill or batt the common term for blanket insulation. Heat conduction from the attic to the house is proportional to the temperature difference divided by the r value. In most cases it is not difficult to air seal and insulated an attic.

The downside of attic ventilation fans. For diy attic insulation you ve got two choices. Most fans cannot keep up. Even though an attic exhaust fan can incrementally lower the temperature of a very hot attic using a fan does not stop the source radiant heat.

During the day any cooler air brought in by the fan will be heated up immediately by the surrounding structure. This complexity is easy to appreciate when you consider all the attic features that factor into energy performance. Attic ventilation fans whether hard wired or powered by their own solar panels seem like a low cost and effective way to help keep your house cool.