I'm a relatively new home owner. my house is pretty normal, two-stories, a basement and an attic. With winter coming I'm looking to keep my heating costs down as much as possible. I know heat rises so it seems the attic is pretty important. There are vents in the front and the back of my attic approx 18inches by 24 inches. So when I go up into my attic it is nearly as cold as outside because there is cold blowing through it. I checked and I dont see any way to close these vents. And I think I've heard that they are necessary to be open even in the middle of winter for some reason that I dont remember. I do have insulation in my attic but I dont know how good it is, probably at least 20 years old. Is it normal to have this much cold air blowing thru my attic? and if not should I somehow try to cover one or both of these vents? what are the vents for?
2006-10-27 07:53:38 · 5 answers · asked by buckbucknumber2000 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
Yes, it's supposed to be cold there in the winter. DO NOT seal it up. Venting is not for temperatures........it's for moisture! Never close it up. If anything, add MORE vents! Blown insulation settles. Fibreglass only expands. If you've got blown insulation, either add more or remove and replace with approximately R-40.
2006-10-27 07:58:26 · answer #1 · answered by fibreglasscar 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for sure a lot of humidity in entering the attic. Are all the lavatory followers vented good? the different techniques moist air in entering the attic. might want to wish to operate a powered fan on between the gables to boost the air pass. verify that the sofit vents at the instantaneous are not blocked. the different difficulty might want to be an ice dam. it really is even as snow on the roof is melting in spite of the indisputable fact that the water isn't operating down the gutters. This motives the water to backup up less than the shingles and into the attic. this would take position even as the overhang area of the roof stayes iced, and the attic area of the roof warms to a lot and casues a number of the snow to soften. Agsin make certain the sofit vent are open and also you may upload more effective insulation to the attic. Idealy, the forums that make the roof of your abode must be an same temperature contained in the attic as outdoors. good luck
2016-12-05 07:15:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Warm air rises and it also carries moisture. Moisture that is trapped can only cause mold and rotten wood. Go online at owens corning or certainteed to find out what R value is recomended for your region. The local lumber yard will have unfaced insulation that you can just lay on top of your existing to increase your R value. But do not cover the vents. They make baffles that keep the insulation from blocking the vents, so be sure and use those as well. Stay warm.
2006-10-28 00:52:30 · answer #3 · answered by nicksriders 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The vents ned to be open 24/7/365 as the humidity also needs to be removed not just the heat in the summer
2006-10-27 08:03:58 · answer #4 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, without the ventilation you will get condensation in it.
2006-10-27 08:47:50 · answer #5 · answered by Pappy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋