For homes that have an unfinished attic, this space can be a major strain on the HVAC system. This is particularly true during summer when the attic can reach very high temperatures and can even radiate these temperatures to the home below.
At Whipple Service Champions, we’re here to help with this and all heating and air concerns. Let’s go over a few important areas to consider when it comes to cooling a house with an unfinished attic, and how you can do this without a prohibitive cost.
Attic Fans
Unless you’re planning for it to function as an actual living space, routing HVAC vents into an unfinished attic rarely makes sense. One thing you can do to keep air flowing and prevent too much heat from building up, however, uses a fan in the attic. There are two major types of fans you might use here:
- Rooftop fans: Installed right on top of the roof, these both expel stagnant air and replace it with cooler air at the same time.
- Gable fans: These are fans that operate as two separate units on opposite sides of the attic – one side blows air in, and the other side blows air out.
Both these fans are popular using solar equipment, as these fans are most useful during daytime hours anyway.
Moisture Concerns
Heat isn’t the only issue with unfinished attics – moisture and humidity are also concerns. It can enter through natural humidity from outdoors, and also from manmade humidity like boiling pots, hot showers, or other in-home sources. If the humidity is trapped, it will lead to mold and mildew growth that could cause major issues to your insulation. If this is an issue for you, consider dehumidifier solutions.
Sealing Considerations
In addition, you have to make sure there’s a tight seal between your attic and your living space. This is especially true if you’re using a fan or another similar item in the attic. Any cracks should be sealed to prevent any air transfer from the top floor of your home into the attic, and vice versa.
For more on managing an unfinished attic from an HVAC standpoint, or to learn about any of our HVAC repair services, speak to the pros at Whipple Service Champions today.
