If your attic is too cold, it probably lacks sufficient protection from outside temperatures. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the average unimproved attic has just R-19 insulation – the insulation value of a five and a half inch thick fiberglass batt.
Attics are often poorly insulated, meaning that temperatures can get hotter than the outside air during the summer. Lack of proper ventilation can also lead to extra condensation build-up, especially during the winter, when the warm air in your home rises and hits the cold air in the attic.
If you're concerned about attic temperature control, a specific attic temperature range should help. Make sure your attic is no colder than 60 degrees Fahrenheit and no warmer than 10 degrees above the outside temperature.
Ventilation Problems
Although it does blow hot air out, it also pulls cool air from the rest of the house through ceiling and wall leaks. When this happens, your house's cold air is cooling the attic, rather than your living area.
Heat always moves from warm to cold, so the warmth in your living space can easily make its way through a minimal amount of attic insulation. This energy loss is accelerated by heat's natural tendency to rise to the highest point in a confined space.
On a 100-degree day, an attic can reach temperatures of 170 degrees or more due to the radiant heat effect.
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.
Heat rises to the top of the house and gets trapped under the roof. Roof windows also mean plenty of sun throughout the day. All this can cause an uncomfortable attic temperature, especially during hotter months.
If your attic temperature is consistently hitting 130 degrees or hotter, damage to your home and a high utility bill is very likely. You can keep a thermometer in your attic to check – it doesn't have to be an expensive one and will give you a better idea of how hot things really are.
BUILDING CODES
Regulations vary from county to county, but most attic conversion building codes require: A minimum of 70 sq. ft. of floor space.
The attic has blooms of mold or mildew
In addition to the structural rot they cause as a result of their voracious appetites for organic materials, mold and mildew pose are linked to respiratory and health issues.
A loft room is a converted space in a house's loft area that can serve various purposes, like a living area, home office, or recreational space. In contrast, a bedroom is specifically intended for sleeping and must meet legal requirements, including proper ventilation and natural light.
Electric Baseboard Heaters
Baseboard heaters are electric heaters that run along the baseboard of your attic walls. Like space heaters, they are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Baseboard heaters are typically controlled by a thermostat and can be turned on and off as needed.
If you're wondering why your loft conversion is so cold, it's likely down to an issue with your insulation. Heat rises which is why many people struggle with their loft being hot. But if there is not adequate insulation, this heat cannot stay in the house.
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.
Boost Property Value
Converting your attic can also increase the value of your home. An attic turned into a functional room adds to your home's overall square footage, making it more appealing to potential buyers. This can be a wise investment if you plan to sell your home in the future.
Thanks to the radiant heat affect, attic temperatures on a 100-degree day can reach 170 degrees or more.
Energy Efficiency: Setting the thermostat to 78-80 degrees can help save energy and reduce utility bills. Raising the thermostat during extremely hot days can save you up to 10-15% on your cooling costs, depending on factors like your home's insulation and your AC's efficiency level.
Rafter vents should be placed in your attic ceiling in between the rafters at the point where your attic ceiling meets your attic floor. Once they are in place, you can then place the batts or blankets, or blow insulation, right out to the very edge of the attic floor.
There's no doubt attic ventilation can impact the effectiveness of the air conditioning system. Removing the built-up heat inside the attic that radiates from the sun baking the roof is essential. Otherwise, that heat can transfer into the living space which increases the burden on the AC system.
Research shows sleep can be disrupted by temperatures anywhere below 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. But for most people, heat interferes with sleep more than cold does. Sleep experts believe the best temperature for great sleep is between 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Install electric ventilators and attic fans, which remove hot air from an attic. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100-110 degrees. Alternatively, install passive vents such as gable, soffit and ridge vents, which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.