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North Broward and Boca Blog Insulation Attic Ventilation

Letting the Florida heat into your home on purpose seems counterintuitive, which is why many homeowners are skeptical about attic ventilation. However, it is an important topic to consider when thinking about your home’s energy efficiency and there are advantages to both vented and unvented attics. Whether your home would benefit from a vented or unvented attic depends on many factors, like your climate, your roof and your insulation. 

Unvented Attics

Unvented attics do not have any vents and are usually completely air sealed by a barrier-creating insulation like spray foam. All gaps and openings are closed to keep the heat and humidity outside which means that outside air can never get in. As a result, the temperature in your attic is more consistent and you don’t have to worry about weather fluctuations – energy efficiency can be optimized and your attic and home will stay cooler without higher A/C costs. 

Insulation types used in unvented attics, like spray foam insulation, offer optimal protection for your home and not only keep heat and humidity under control but also keep pests and insects out of your attic as it blocks all possible entryways. 

Benefits of an unvented attic:

Downsides of unvented attics:

Vented Attics

Your insulation reduces temperature fluctuations and helps you save on your energy bills by keeping the Florida heat out of your home. Nevertheless, especially in the Florida climate, warmth and humidity can accumulate in the highest point of your home, the attic, and cause heat and moisture problems if trapped. A vented attic will introduce outside air into your attic and keep the air fluctuating. In the colder months, the incoming air can actually help cool down your attic and home. 

Even though your Florida home could benefit from vents; overall, vented attics tend to have more benefits for homes in climates with harsh winters where vents can prevent ice damming and other winter problems that are not on a Florida homeowner’s mind. Many homes are built with vented attics so it might be useful to get your attic assessed by a professional to find out about your home’s state. 

Benefits of a vented attic:

Downsides of a vented attic:

Types of attic ventilation

Passive ventilation

Passive/natural ventilation uses thermal upward forces and air currents to provide air circulation. The hot air that rises is circulated out of the home and fresh air is brought in to push out old air. For this reason, it is particularly useful for homes where the temperature difference between outdoor and indoor is high.  

Passive ventilation methods include

Active ventilation

Active ventilation provides indoor air circulation through mechanical fans. These types of ventilation are key for areas with high humidity like South Florida that make attics prone to moisture build-up. The air circulation with mechanical fans is more consistent as it doesn’t rely on natural winds. Solar-powered systems are particularly useful since they don’t increase your energy bill but feed off of the Florida sun. 

Active ventilation methods include

In conclusion, whether your home would benefit from a vented or unvented attic depends a lot on the home’s construction and materials, the interior and exterior temperatures and humidity, your HVAC and ductwork and other structural elements as well as your personal preferences. Koala Insulation of North Broward & Boca offers free home assessments to determine your insulation and ventilation needs and help you make the best decision for your home. 

 

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