Ridge Vent Vs Attic Fan Roof

A ridge vent installed along a roof s peak will move hot and humid air up and out of the attic.

Ridge vent vs attic fan roof.

Without any air movement temperatures in the attic soar in summer and plunge in winter. Continuous ridge vents are more effective because they are installed at the peak of a roof s ridge allowing for warm air to escape from the attic. Installation costs roof turbines are usually less expensive to install because they only require the removal of a small section of shingles and an appropriately sized hole to be drill through the roof. Adding roof ridge vents can reduce summer air conditioning costs prevent roof mildew and rot and keep your roof in better shape longer.

It also works better because it creates a vacuum. Without ventilation unfinished attic spaces can end up having stagnant air. When you are deciding between a ridge vent or an attic fan consider the needs of the attic. List of the cons of roof ridge vents.

It could reverse the natural flow of hot air out the ridge vent. Most effective ventilation uses a ridge and soffit continuous ventilation system but even these designs can vary from roof to roof. Purchasing an electric or solar attic fan may not provide the savings that homeowners expect. The effect of ridge vents for the roof depends upon the energy efficient nature of the structure.

If you have suitable intake venting a ridge vent might be a better. Installing roof ridge vents and more attic insulation are better options experts say. If air is drawn in through the ridge vent while it s raining it might pull rainwater in with it which could lead to leaking or mold in the attic. Combining an attic power vent fan with a ridge vent is usually not recommended because.

Also since the fan is powered by the sun it should turn off when the sky is overcast during a storm which will keep it from drawing rain into the attic. Since your solar vent fan only moves 500 cfm a third to half that of a typical hardwired attic vent fan it probably won t move enough air to reverse the action of the ridge vent. Ridge vents do not always provide the proper ventilation in some homes. It has the ability to work with vaulted ceilings and you only need one of them to get the job done for ventilation as compared to multiple box vents.

Choosing a ridge vent or an attic fan. If you don t know how your roof vents work or if you re unsure about your attic ventilation in general you should talk to a roof inspector about your current system and any inherent weaknesses that may be at.