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QUESTION: Dear Mr. Handyman: It is only May and my attic is very hot and humid. Is this normal? (Patrick O., Westport)
RESPONSE: Hello, Patrick, and thank you for this question. Please remember this one point: attic and outdoor temperatures should remain equal.
If you're already experiencing an unusually hot attic, then you likely have attic venting and insulation deficiencies. As we get deeper into summer, that excessive attic heat and humidity will increase your electric bills by requiring your cooling equipment to work much harder to keep you comfortable. Over time, these issues could cause interior moisture damage, roof damage, or air-quality hazards.
Any combination of the following measures might help reduce heat and humidity in your attic:
[+] Increase attic venting.
One: Verify unobstructed air flow from the soffit vents to the ridge vents. Soffit vents are louvered openings located where the roof hangs over the exterior wall (aka, eave). Ridge vents are protected openings that run continuously along the peak of the roof. More air flowing from the soffits to the ridge will keep the attic cooler. [Soffit-to-ridge ventilation helps to prevent ice damming, too.]
Two: Consider installing additional venting at the peak of the roof deck. Because air volume in the attic is constant, whenever one cubic foot of air exits, one cubic foot must enter. Products such as the Master Flow solar-powered fan will exhaust 500 cubic feet of air per minute without adding a cent to your electric bill.
[+] Investigate quantity and quality of attic insulation.
One: Make sure that insulation on your attic floor is not stuffed into the eaves and blocking soffit vents. We see this in too many attics.
Two: If the attic floor and roof rafters both have insulation installed, get help right away. When all surfaces of an attic without air conditioning are insulated, humidity is trapped, moisture builds up, roof components sweat and bad things happen. We recently removed kraft-faced fiberglass insulation from roof rafters and called-in a mold remediation company to clean our client's attic and duct system after years with this condition.
Three: Ensure that at least 12 inches of insulation have been installed continuously across the attic floor. Energy Star recommends R-49 or greater for Connecticut homes. By doing so, you'll reduce heat transfer between your living space and the attic.
[+] Consider energy-saving shingles.
Black asphalt shingles absorb electromagnetic waves and convert their radiant energy into heat. Shingle heat passes through to the roof deck, which further warms the attic. If you expect to replace your roof soon, then consider installing light-colored, reflective shingles. This technology reduces attic heat gain by reflecting solar rays and by quickly remitting any heat that is absorbed by the shingle. Again, this only makes sense--from a return on investment (ROI) perspective--if you're already planning roof replacement (or for new construction).
Again, Patrick, I appreciate your question. If you need additional help with this or any other house-related issue, please contact me. You may also retain a local building performance and weatherization contractor, who will assess all building components as a system and harmonize their functions.
Until next time, take care and stay cool.
All the best,
Lorenzo
About the author:
Lorenzo Wyatt is co-owner of Mr. Handyman of Greater Fairfield County. He holds multiple credentials from the Building Performance Institute. Lorenzo leads his company's building performance and weatherization practice, which specializes in diagnosing and repairing homes, improving energy efficiency and helping homeowners save money. Mr. Handyman is an authorized contractor for clients of the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund and the Connecticut Department of Social Services.
For more information, visit www.mrhandymangreen.com.
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