Attic Air Flow Diagram

Your home is a heated conditioned area that is designed to keep air in.

Attic air flow diagram.

That means air can t flow from the soffit vents to the roof vents. 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. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic. 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. Box out light fixtures. Water is insulation s enemy. We insulate moisture proof and throw up every barrier to heat and cold.

It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow. Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house. An outdoor unit which houses the fan condenser and compressor and an indoor unit which holds the evaporator and fan.

In winter the natural convection air flow through the attic prevents ice. 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. The solution is to add baffles which allow air to flow past the insulation photo 9.

Most updated central air conditioned homes have a new air conditioner split system meaning the ac is broken up into parts. The super heated air inside the attic can warp and damage roof shingles if not forced out through gable or roof vents. A different animal first think of your attic and roof as a separate entity from your home. Increased ventilation will make the entire roof cold and reduce or eliminate ice dams.

The ice traps water behind it allowing the water to seep back under the shingles and leak through the roof. In the summer natural air flow in a well vented attic moves super heated air out of the attic protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. 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. Well mainly it s a way to save space.

Whole house fans powered attic fans. Attic hvac systems save space.