Installing Roof Ventilation the Green Way

Roof ventilation is important to ensure continual flow of outside air through the hottest area in your home, which is presumably the attic. This will help in lowering temperature in your living space, reduce cooling costs and protect the efficiency of the insulated areas. Proper roof ventilation achieves a balance between the air intake which occurs at the eaves or soffits and the air exhaust which occurs near the rood ridge.

The Federal Housing Administration recommends every home a minimum of 1 square foot of roof ventilation for both the air intake and air exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic space. During summer, improper roof ventilation causes excessive heat build up of up to 160°F! This super heated space will eventually penetrate the ceiling insulation and cause hot air to circulate in the living areas below. There are different types of damage that can result due to improper roof ventilation which include:

• Roof deck warping and rotting of the wood frame
• Mildew growth
• Premature aging of the roof, buckling of shingles and felt
• Damage to the exterior or interior paint, siding and wallpaper

During the winter, the kitchen and bathroom can contribute to excessive moisture build up indoors. This moisture will collect and cling to the underside of the roof if there is improper ventilation in that area. Then the moisture condenses and falls, which will soak the insulation and reduce heating efficiency. Another problem that is prevalent in the cold weather is the formation of ice dams on the roof. Snow and ice will melt and run down the roof deck to the cooler eaves. The run-off can probably re-freeze and force water back up under the shingles causing leaks inside the house. This will eventually cause hundreds of dollars of damage to your ceiling and walls if there is no proper ventilation. To reduce the chances of ice dam formation, adequate roof ventilation is required to reduce the early stages of melting.

Conclusively, efficient and proper roof ventilation is a critical feature for a healthy home environment all year round! There are cost effective solutions and environmentally friendly methods to keep the area in your roof well ventilated. Eco-friendly products from Solatube's dealers will give you amazing benefits all through the year like keeping your roof cool, protecting your insulation, reducing energy bills and stopping it from getting damp. This revolutionary product which uses the power of the sun to keep your roof ventilated outshines all the traditional options like wind turbine or whirlybird in every possible way.

There are a number of benefits when using a solar powered roof ventilation system in your home:

• It costs nothing to operate
• Stops heat build up during summer and freeze ups during winter, thus improving energy efficiency in your home
• Reduces damaging condensation
• Prevents moisture saturation by protecting insulation
• Fights the onset of fungal decay and mold growth
• Possesses a low inconspicuous roof profile
• Easily installs in 30 minutes flat
• Possesses an optional thermostat feature for the winter
• Operates very quietly, almost like a gentle whisper unlike traditional models
• Promotes efficient operation of air conditioners and heating systems
• A single unit is more than enough for most homes
• Possesses a lightweight non-corrosive fan blade

You can place the solar powered roof ventilation system at the highest point on the roof where it is most effective. This will enable proper circulation of air flow and ventilation in the roof area, thereby transforming your home into a comfortable living space.

If you would like to turn the ventilation off after the home cools down and records a temperature of 18 degrees, there is an optional thermal switch that will stop the solar powered roof ventilation system from running unnecessarily. Then once the heat starts building up, it will automatically turn itself on as soon as the area in the roof reaches 28 degrees or more.

The temperature outside does not count, but the amount of heat that gets conducted in the roof is all that matters. With the solar powered roof ventilation system from Solatube, all the unwanted super heated hot air will be removed from the roof area and replaced with cool, fresh air. The more air is removed from inside and ventilated, the cooler your home will be.