Solar Attic Vent

A solar attic vent harnesses the light available from one of the highest points in your home, to actually keep your home cool -- for free. After you have purchased the solar attic vent it works for you without incurring any future utility charges. You would also save on electrician fees in the setup process.

Heat rises, and gets trapped. It spikes the temperature, forcing the cooling system to work harder. A solar fan releases the heat, resulting in a more comfortable home over all. This solar unit can also play a great role in the finished attic as well. It will still aid in keeping the temperature more livable and at comfortable ranges.

Most attics are just the wood framework, further exposed to the elements because there may be very crude, if any insulation between the attic and the outside. Thus, when heat rises as it does, it gets trapped upstairs. It is also taking in solar heat that the roof absorbs through the course of a day.

Cooling Down

The reason that the attic vent is so important is because it allows the air that gets trapped up there to vent. Otherwise, for instance, on 90 degree Fahrenheit days, the attic can reach upwards of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This can result in a much greater reliance (and stress) on the cooling system for the house.

The solar fan will run on the solar energy. It is most readily installed when roof work or attic cover installation is being performed. For the most part, a solar fan is fairly simple, otherwise. It may be much quieter than its electric predecessors.

Other Options

The other option is an electric vent. Though, of course, when you purchase an electric vent for the attic, you have to hire an electrician to wire it. That costs money.

Additionally, throughout the lifetime of the electric attic vent you will need to pay for the electricity to run the vent. In addition, this option can be noisy and affect air pressure within the house every time it is popped on or turned off. It may also be quite loud when it runs, because it has a motor.

Supporting Efforts

In addition to the solar attic vent, it makes sense to find other ways to support the efforts of this great device. For one, finding and installing the insulation that is appropriate to the regional climate will better maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the home. The R-value indicates the thermal resistance of the products.

When you are working toward a remodel it is important to consider adding insulation, if you have none yet. Even in milder climates, the temperatures in the highest point in a home can easily become stuffy and very hot. Insulation and sealing of leaks will help to achieve a better balance in internal temperatures, even in your new bonus room.

Use foam in place for insulating windows prior to installing them. Between the framing of the home, you may use loose fill or rolls or batts of insulation. It all depends upon personal preference. Thickness of the insulation provides an indication of how well a piece insulates. A thicker product will usually have a higher R-value as well.

Wonders of Caulking

When you feel that the temperature is starting to normalize, there is one other step that you may want to perform. If you are adding insulation, you may actually want to caulk openings between the roof and the chimney first. And, as any new windows are being installed, the installers will be applying good caulking that can stand up to the natural elements outdoors as well.

Any smaller openings and gaps that allow an air exchange need to be sealed, if possible. This will all help to cut down on the air exchanges. When you have the additional support of a solar attic vent, you will realize much greater comfort in the home too. The solar attic vent will make the entire house, not just the newly renovated upstairs, feel far better.

When you are going through plans to make your upstairs space go from framework to livable, include a solar attic vent in your designs. It is a fairly cost effective measure that will pay for itself very quickly. Other ideas you may want to incorporate into your renovation may come from photos.

See if the solar attic vent that you want the most is easy to install. In addition, it needs to be a sturdy model that can withstand the natural elements. A good solar attic vent needs to stand up against hail, snow, ice, rain, and even high winds.

The solar attic vent can make this area of your home inhabitable. Many choose to reclaim this lost area before considering adding on additions to their home. Find out how much you can save with energy efficient devices.