The Importance of Proper Attic Ventilation

Airflow is very important in moderating the temperature of your home, ensuring the life of your roof and the overall efficiency of your home. A properly vented attic lets air flow in and out of your home having cooler air drawn into your soffits as hot air rises through the attic to pass through the roof vents.

A properly vented attic should have about 1 square foot of ventilation for every 300 square feet of ceiling. About half should be going through soffits or gable vents; the other half through roof or ridge vents. However, if you use screens on your vents to prevent birds or bugs from entering, the amount of venting needed is doubled because the screens can lower the efficiency of the vents.

Proper attic ventilation is important to the overall energy efficiency of your home by reducing energy consumption by heaters and air conditioners. In a poorly-vented attic, temperatures climb in the summer and drop in the winter making your heating and cooling units work harder to maintain your desired temperature.

Also, a properly vented attic can add years to your roof. Many shingle manufacturers will negate their warranty if the shingles are damaged due to roof not being vented.