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Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Powered Vents Can Help Reduce Air Conditioning Costs

 Proper Ventilation can help reduce air conditioning costs.  Some regular ridge vents can reduce air conditioning costs with additional vents and a properly vented attic does lower the attic temperature, the only way to dramatically lower the attic temperature is with a power vent.  

Should you install a powered vent?

Powered vents use a fan to force air throught the vent. There are powered roof gable vents available. Some use electricity and others are solar-powered. Most thermostatically controlled, set to run when the attic temp reaches a  defined temp and stop when the air cools by a predetermined amount . (Usually a 15 degree increase)

Power vents do have both benefits and drawbacks. If you are having difficulty cooling your attic with passive vents due to architectural design, lack of venting options, and or too many problems are causing heat to enter the attic.  Powered vents are a good option and possibly your last resort without making drastic changes to your homes design.

Types of Vents

Intake Vents in modern homes are typically located in the soffits under the eaves. Older homes may have been been outfitted with either starter vents or circular vents

Starter Vents are installed when the eaves a top at the wall ad do not overhang to allow for soffits to be installed.

Circular Vents are installed when eaves exist without room soffits. These vents are installed directly into the blocking between the exposed rafters.

Outlet Vents allows the air to escape from your attic and are installed at a higher elevation. Roof vents, ridge vents, and gable vents are used as outlets in the attic.

Roof Vents are water tight units made of light gauge metal or plastic and are installed directly into the roof system. The common various styles and colors and range in size.

Ridge Vents are installed along the top of the ridge of your home, where the two slopes meet, capping the top courses of shingles. A sufficient opening should be made in the sheathing to allow the vent to work without compromising the water tight integrity.

Ridge Vents are the least conspicuous of all venting solutions, they are usually the smae color as the shingles and are held back fromt he gableendsof the house to provide the best aesthetic look and to protect them from wind driven rain. While a lower profile ridge vent may be chosen for aesthetic reasons, it should be chosen to ensure the best air circulation first and foremost.

Gable Vents are installed in the attic at each end, or gable of the house. It is typically a louvered vent cut and installed directly into the siding.  

Drawbacks to powered vents will need to be weighed before a final decision is made.  

After Roofing company installs the correct type of venting of your home. You will need a licensed electrician if you plan on installing electrical powered vents, and your electric bill could increase.

If you do not have a air tight attic, the vent may pull warm air  up from below, increasing heat in the winter in your attic which can cause snow melt faster near the top of the roof . The snow melt can than refreeze near the end of the roof forming an ice dam. 

Midwest Roofing Services would be glad to look at your roof and to help you make decision on what type of ventilation would be beneficial to your homes needs

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  • Credentials: Midwest Roofing Services has partnered with the top manufacturers in the industry. Midwest Roofing has been awarded the prestigious certification of Master Select by the largest roofing manufacturer in North America, “GAF Materials Corp.”. This certification is reserved for the Top 2% of the roofing contractors nation wide. Midwest Roofing is also certified applicators for the following manufacturers. Versico Roofing Systems, Certainteed Commercial Roofing and Topps Products, Inc. This partnership allows us to provide the following types of roofing applications with extended manufacturers warrantees. Thermoplastic (PVC and TPO), Thermoplastic Fleece Back, Epdm, Modified Bitumen, Built up Roofing, Roof Coatings, Metal Roof Restorations.

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