Attic Exhaust Fans Vs Ridge Vents

Ridge vents are a passive system simply allowing hot air to rise up through them rather than pushing it out as a fan does.

Attic exhaust fans vs ridge vents.

Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. A ridge vent is a passive system and offers less air movement and in moderate climates this style tends to be sufficient. One of the leading causes for fires. Without ventilation unfinished attic spaces can end up having stagnant air.

This is different from soffit vents which allow air to travel into the attic. In the case of ridge vents when heat builds up inside the attic it makes sense that there should be a means of moving the hot air out other than relying on natural ventilation especially if there is little to no air movement outside. More than 50 of the attic fans i see do not work and have current still live to the motor. Without any air movement temperatures in the attic soar in summer and plunge in winter.

As warm air rises in your attic fresh air is drawn in through soffit vents. Fans are needed only when there isn. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic. Best ventilation is open soffit venting to a open vented ridge vent.

What makes ridge vents so effective is how they run the length of your roof. Ridge vents are an ideal solution to ventilation in an ideal attic. For optimal performance ridge vents require soffit venting to bring air up and out the top of the roof. Like attic fans ridge vents are designed to exhaust air that is already inside the attic.

A ridge vent or a solar attic fan. Ridge vent must me installed per the manufactures instructions. In a properly designed passive system air enters through the soffit vents rises by convection in the attic and exits through the vents in the roof or gables. That depends on your roof.

Which is better for your roof. In more extreme climates one or more turbines will provide better circulation.