As heated air naturally rises, it collects in the attic, a space that can significantly heat up due to direct sunlight on the roof. Roof vents, including the effective ridge vents, allow this hot air to exit, while cooler air is drawn in through intake vents, usually positioned at the lower parts of the roof.
When you're having a new home built then installing a ridge vent is the best way to maintain the optimal temperature of your home. Since there are vents on the roof, heat can escape the house naturally. It doesn't have to be vented out like a normal house would, which keeps things cool inside.
While ridge vents have many advantages, they are not always ideal. In cold climates, ridge vents can allow snow into the attic. They're also more expensive than box vents and won't work on all types of roofs.
By some estimates, having good ventilation on your roof can help reduce cooling costs by 30-40%.
Ridge Vents are popular. They work well because they provide even ventilation across the whole attic. They are installed along the roof's peak, allowing hot air to escape naturally without the need for power.
Ridge vents are also some of the most effective roofing vents because of their size. They will run the length of your roof's peak, making them cover a great distance without much effort or exposure.
It is absolutely possible the ventilation system on your roof is excessive. Maybe your home is older and prior ventilation was installed by a homeowner, or incorrect vent sizes were used in an older roof layout. Too much ventilation can negatively influence the attic's and home's insulation as well.
The ideal attic temperature should be no less than 60 degrees in the winter and no more than 10 to 20 degrees above the outdoor temperature in the summer. If your attic temperature climbs above 130 degrees, you may start running into issues with your energy bill, as well as the integrity of your roof.
Off ridge vents are not as effective as full ridge vents because they are much smaller and do not sit as high on the roof. Their size prohibits them from expelling a large amount of hot air and their location restricts their ability to vent the absolute hottest air, like a ridge vent.
Labor. Labor to install roof ridge vents can cost between $100 and $400. It may be less if the replacement is part of a larger roofing project.
Look Out for Flashing
In this case, rain can enter your roof through the vents. As for damage to the vents themselves, old age is a factor. Eventually, certain areas of your roof may be worn down, including the flashing that supports ridge vents. You will likely be unable to predict when your flashing is going to fail.
The average lifespan of a roof vent is about 10-20 years, but the lifespan of your roof vent will depend on a variety of factors. Some factors that will affect the lifespan of your roof vent include the type of roof vent, the material your roof vent is made from, and the care your roof vent receives.
While ridge vents offer a more subtle appearance, turbine vents can provide superior ventilation when powered by wind. Turbine Roof Vents vs. Electrically Powered Vents: Electrically powered vents use fans to move air out of the attic.
If you prioritize heating, put the HVAC and vents in (or below) the floor. This principle works for return heating vents as well. Place returns for cooling in the ceiling where the warm air congregates and heating returns in or near the floor where the cold air congregates.
If you have to pick only one solution on how to cool the attic, attic insulation would be non-negotiable. Like insulation in freezers and refrigerators, insulation seals your attic and home to keep the cold air inside during summer and the warm air in during winter.
Unlike most other roof vents, the amount of ridge vent is calculated per linear foot. The standard ridge vent without a baffle is 4 feet long and covers 72 square inches of net free area. With that in mind, you'll need a total of 20' of ridge vent to ventilate a 1,500 square foot attic properly.
Ridge Vents: Usually installed along the peak of the roof and considered one of the most effective exhaust vents. They allow for continuous air flow along the entire ridge, effectively removing hot air.
The truth is, most experts agree that though other roof vents allow some ventilation (which is better than none), ridge vents are the most efficient and cost-effective roof ventilation system around. Our recommendation is yes. Especially if you are installing a new roof, you want to extend its life as long as possible.
Note excessive heat – if it's 90 degrees outside, the attic temperature shouldn't be more than 110 degrees. More often than not, attic temperatures will be in excess of 125 degrees on a 90 degree day. This will overwork your air conditioning equipment, run up your utility bill and shorten the life of your roof.
Add a few fans
Fans are an easy and affordable way to reduce heat in your attic, as they help to create a draft and make the room feel cooler. Switching on a few electric fans for an hour or two a day helps the air circulate through the room, eventually pushing the hot air out.
Ideally, the attic temperature should be close to the outside temperature, give or take 10 to 20 degrees. If your attic temperature is getting to 130 degrees or hotter, you can expect to see damage to your home. An attic can easily surpass this target in warm climates, getting as high as 160 degrees in the summer.
In my experience, a mix of passive and active ventilation tends to work very well; combining an attic fan with ridge vents will improve what the natural process starts, which makes sure your attic remains healthy.
Ridge vents are not recommended for use when there are existing gable vents. Best to use off ridge vents or an attic fan. Federal credits can be used to offset some of the cost of a solar attic fan and it's way better in terms of ventilation.
Even the slightest deviation from the recommended installation procedures can compromise the ridge vent's performance and longevity. An improperly installed ridge vent may fail to provide sufficient ventilation, leading to trapped hot air, moisture buildup, and potential energy inefficiency.