Attic Ridge Vent Effectiveness

The uniform building code requires that the amount of venting area in the attic be equal to 1 150 of the area of the floor and in most circumstances it allows a ratio of 1 300 if the venting area.

Attic ridge vent effectiveness.

Figure 5 ridge vent vs. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. That means you have a lower risk of mold or mildew development. Roof ridge vents do work well when there are soffit vents or box vents that help to draw air into the attic.

Hvi recommends a ratio of 60 to 40 for soffit ventilation to gable or ridge ventilation. A ridge vent runs across the top of the roof s peak. A ridge vent is similar to a screen and allows heat to escape up and out of the attic. Figure courtesy of air vent inc.

Gable vents may circulate air through only a small percentage of your attic. Without baffles blinders that prevent outside air from crossing over the vent a ridge vent may create almost no ventilation at all. It also works better because it creates a vacuum. Since there isn t any provision for the intake of air the ridge vent is basically ineffective.

One of the great things about a ridge vent is that it is at the topmost point of your roof with hot air constantly rising it is bound to make it way out of the top of your vents thus bringing in cooler air through your soffit vents and into your roof cooling it down. The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost effective roof vents available. The downside of attic ventilation fans. Unlike turbines this venting style does not have any moving parts.

Continuous ridge vents are more effective because they are installed at the peak of a roof s ridge allowing for warm air to escape from the attic. You will also discover that this product can work by itself to release moisture from the house which is especially useful during the winter months. Attic ventilation fans whether hard wired or powered by their own solar panels seem like a low cost and effective way to help keep your house cool. Danh says ridge vents remain effective in winter because winds generally clear the ridge within a few days of even a heavy snow and because warm air working its way up through the attic will melt snow covering the vent.

Or worse the exhaust vents could lead to warm moist air from the house s interior being pulled into the attic which could be problematic.