Efficient Attic Systems

Efficient attic systems keep this area of your home comfortable, livable and energy efficient. Even if you only use your attic for storage space and use a telescoping ladder for access, there will be times when you need to access the area in order to replace the insulation, search for stored belongings or perform repair or maintenance. If you're considering a full-scale attic remodel, you'll be spending a great deal of time in this part of your house finishing the walls and floors and making the space efficient enough to serve as a bonus room.

As you discuss your remodeling ideas with a contractor, the subject of efficient attic systems will be one of the most important aspects of your plans. Your local building codes will require that your ventilation systems meet certain standards, especially if the space is to be used as a bedroom, playroom or office. Work with a licensed local contractor to design the most efficient attic systems for this valuable area of your home. In addition to keeping the attic comfortable, heat and moisture control systems will help you regulate temperatures throughout the house.

Efficient Temperature Control Systems

If you live in a region of the country that experiences high temperatures in the summer, you're well aware that your home gets hot in the summer months, and that your attic is probably the hottest part of the house. It's not uncommon for high temperatures in attics to reach 150 degrees at certain times of the year. When this area gets hot, it raises the temperature of the ceiling, which increases the workload on your air conditioning system.

Efficient attic systems for ventilation can keep the temperatures in the upper regions of your house from reaching these extremes. Roof vents are the foundation of an efficient cooling system, proving passive ventilation for these enclosed, confined areas of the building. Roof vents are especially important if you have no windows or other openings that can release hot, stale air from this part of your residence. Ridge vents, soffit or gable vents can be placed along the roof itself, under the eaves or at the ends of the home's exterior just below the roof.

In addition to vents, efficient attic systems for ventilating this area include an attic exhaust fan. Efficient exhaust fans can respond automatically to high temperatures, and will go on when the air reaches this point. These exhaust systems can also respond to moisture -- an environmental factor that could potentially cause significant damage to a home. For an illustration of these products and details about their installation requirements, review manufacturers' spec sheets and photos.

Some experts recommend using a whole house fan, which cools and ventilates the homes as well as attics. These ventilating systems pull hot air out of the house and vent it through the attic. Hot air is then exhausted through the roof vents, resulting in lower temperatures inside the upper region of your residence, as well as in the living space, itself. Talk with a local contractor about your choice of ventilating systems to determine which of these fans will provide the most effective temperature regulation for your dwelling.

Efficient Moisture Reduction

Your local building codes may require that you install roof vents and other efficient attic systems in your house to prevent the build-up of moisture inside the topmost space of your house. Many homeowners don't think of this space as a moisture control risk, because the air in these rooms is often hot, stuffy and dry. However, vapor and condensation can be serious problems, leading to structural damage in the building, wood rot and rust. Moist wood attracts pests such as termites and ants, which can cause considerable harm to a house.

Moisture comes from many different sources, including the furnace or air conditioner, kitchen and bathroom fixtures and even the effects of ground water rising from the foundation. In the winter time, condensation may occur as a result of the temperature difference between the interior and exterior air. Efficient attic systems for moisture control focus on keeping the air in these areas dry and temperate.

To maintain ventilation in the winter time, your contractor may recommend that you keep the roof vents open. Many homeowners close them out of a fear of losing heated air through these louvered openings. However, these passive efficient attic systems can keep the interior space dry and prevent severe damage to the roof.

Efficient attic systems can make your entire house more comfortable and reduce the cost of heating and cooling your dwelling. With adequate heat and moisture control, you can prolong the life of your house and get more satisfaction from your living environment. To implement these measures at prices you can afford, compare quotes from several of the top local contractors using the free, convenient request form on our site.