Open your attic trap door to help keep the temperature in your attic the same as in the rest of the house and prevent pipes freezing.
Leaving your attic trapdoor open is a good way of increasing your heating bills and causing draughts all around the house, but it should help prevent pipes freezing.
According to field tests conducted by the University of Illinois' Building Research Council, when you reach the temperature pipes freeze (20° F or below) at, exposed pipes in spaces like attics, garages, or crawl spaces are most vulnerable to freezing.
Install Proper Insulation
Insulation in your attic will prevent heat loss and reduce your energy bills significantly. It will help prevent the spread of cold air from the attic throughout the rest of your home.
Moisture makes mold and mildew thrive. To reduce the likelihood of mildew and mold from growing, keep your vents open to avoid moisture from getting trapped in your attic.
What is the ideal attic temperature during winter? The ideal attic temperature during winter should be 10-20 degrees above outdoor temperatures. This range helps prevent issues like ice damming and excessive energy consumption.
“Leaving a window open year-round is generally not advisable,” Roberson says. “In the winter, it's usually more energy-efficient to keep windows closed to conserve heat, while in the summer, you might want to open windows to ventilate your home.”
Like insulation, air sealing allows your attic to retain more heat while keeping cold air away from your pipes. Use a high-quality air sealer to fill holes and leaks within your attic's windows and walls to keep the space warm during the chilly winter season.
One of the best ways to ensure a warm space is by insulating the walls of your home. This is especially necessary in your attic. If you dislike the thought of exposed insulation on your walls, you can always cover this space with another layer of drywall to blend it seamlessly with the rest of your home.
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls. A frozen pipe is likely to burst when any water or liquid trapped within it freezes and begins to expand.
No matter the strength of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are: Pipes that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, and water sprinkler lines.
Opening the attic door should not be used as a substitute for proper attic ventilation and insulation. In most cases, keeping the attic door closed and well-insulated while maintaining open attic vents year-round is the most effective approach for energy efficiency and moisture control.
In research tests at the University of Illinois, water pipes placed in an unheated, insulated attic consistently started forming ice when the outdoor temperature dipped just below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yes, open doors are generally better in winter to maintain a consistent temperature. They allow your heating system to distribute warm air evenly across rooms, improving comfort and efficiency while preventing energy waste.
Shut off and drain your water system if you are leaving home for several days. (Turn off the water heater before draining the system). Leaving your heater on a low setting while you are gone helps, but may not prevent freezing.
Set your thermostat at a minimum of 55 degrees, especially when you are gone for the day or away for a long time. 68 degrees is ideal for when you are home. Let indoor faucets drip, but do not run a heavy stream of water (remember, it only takes a small drip).
During the frigid cold temperatures, set your thermostat on a permanent HOLD around 70 degrees until the weather warms back up to normal temperatures for this season. When temperatures drop below zero or even below freezing for extended periods of time, sometimes your furnace can't keep up.
Insulating your attic is the first line of defense against cold temperatures, followed by sealing any cracks that might let the chill seep in. Regularly clearing debris from your roof can prevent damage and improve insulation, while using an attic fan can help distribute heat evenly throughout your home.
Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces, attic, and garage. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. The more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes are. Wrap pipes with heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables.
The Dangers of Attic Frost
Frost buildup in your attic can turn into a serious issue when warmer weather comes around. As the frost melts, it makes your insulation damp, which can then draw in heat instead of blocking it. This leads to your attic heating up, causing more dampness in your home and losing heat.
The practice is known as lüften ("ventilate" in English) and involves opening the windows of your home every day in order to ensure that there is an exchange of air: the stale, dirty indoor air goes out and is replaced by fresh air from the outdoors.
It prevents moisture buildup in the winter, protecting the roof and improving the home's energy efficiency. A well-ventilated attic behaves like opening two windows on the opposite side of the room and allowing the free flow of air.
Open windows for a short period each day, even in winter. Ten to fifteen minutes will suffice. Air out your home during the warmest part of the day. Increase air flow by opening windows or doors at opposite ends of your home at the same time.