Attic Cooling Tips

Indoor air conditioning unit.

Attic cooling tips.

They ve been well discussed here and other places but briefly they re not cost effective don t deal with the problem where it starts are using convection to solve a radiant heat problem and can even be dangerous by backdrafting combustion appliances and. Powered attic ventilators are the worst way to try to keep your attic cool. Alternatively install passive vents such as gable soffit and ridge vents which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape. In the summer good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup.

In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. Install electric ventilators and attic fans which remove hot air from an attic. The result is a cooler attic space with plenty of air exchange. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life.

Determine your cooling needs. Is the attic a space you use for storage or is it an extra living space that you or members of your family will be spending a lot of time in. All of the other tips listed below are good for cooling down an attic so that the rest of your house doesn t get too hot. If the space is being used often it may warrant adding another air conditioning unit or extending your central air system to include the attic.

If you re using your attic as a functional space like a bedroom or workroom then you ll want to consider adding an indoor air conditioning unit. That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape.