Attic Air Flow Diagram

The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house.

Attic air flow diagram.

Fans and vents may be installed on the roof system that will draw the air out of the attic space and exhaust it to the exterior. These ice dams form when warm attic air melts the snow on the roof and the water refreezes along the colder edge of the roof. Baffles are available at home centers. In winter the natural convection air flow through the attic prevents ice.

We insulate moisture proof and throw up every barrier to heat and cold. Most updated central air conditioned homes have a new air conditioner split system meaning the ac is broken up into parts. The solution is to add baffles which allow air to flow past the insulation photo 9. A different animal first think of your attic and roof as a separate entity from your home.

Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. Your home is a heated conditioned area that is designed to keep air in. Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. Well mainly it s a way to save space.

Attic hvac systems save space. Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be. The ice traps water behind it allowing the water to seep back under the shingles and leak through the roof. That means air can t flow from the soffit vents to the roof vents.

So why put an hvac system up in the attic at all. The super heated air inside the attic can warp and damage roof shingles if not forced out through gable or roof vents. Water is insulation s enemy. Whole house fans powered attic fans.

Increased ventilation will make the entire roof cold and reduce or eliminate ice dams. These fans may be controlled by a switch or a thermostat which detects heat build up in the attic space and automatically exhausts the attic space. Box out light fixtures. An outdoor unit which houses the fan condenser and compressor and an indoor unit which holds the evaporator and fan.

Misconceptions about the air flow in your attic can lead to thousands of dollars in damage and repair costs. If your attic is well insulated the insulation might be plugging the spaces between rafters just above exterior walls.