Does You Home Need More Ventilation?

How often do you think of your body’s hypothalamus? 

No shame if you just plugged that crazy word into google. The hypothalamus is the part of your brain that regulates internal temperature. It works together with skin, sweat, and even blood vessels to keep your body at a consistent temperature. 

It’s a powerful and complex system… but it’s not something we really think about. 

Some of the most important systems in our body are ones we just don’t consider. And that’s okay! When everything works right, there are more important things to occupy your mind. 

I know what you’re thinking: 

“What does this have to do with my home?”

Short answer: A LOT. 

A well maintained home is filled with systems we never think about. Systems that regulate temperature, air quality, and humidity. Your house doesn’t have a hypothalamus, but it does have an undercover- and underappreciated- system that keeps everything else healthy: your ventilation system. 

Your ventilation system is much more than your roof or attic vents. These are just a small part of a system that can be tricky to get right- especially as your home ages or you make changes to its insulating properties. 

Today, I want to show you the incredible advantages a good ventilation system can have to your home’s longevity and what you can do to make sure your existing system is a great fit. But first? How does ventilation work?

Hot Attic? Your Home May Have A Ventilation Problem.

Have you ever had to go into your attic in July to pull out a long-forgotten piece of campaign equipment? Did you feel like you were going to melt before making it out alive? You might have a ventilation problem on your hands!

In the summer, your attic should only be +/-20 degrees hotter than it is outside. 

Hot air rises, so it’s only natural for your attic to be the hottest room in your house. But higher temps than this can affect your home’s structure…and your energy bill!

When your ventilation is sized right, you’re protecting your home from: 

• Shingle damage 
• Mold and Mildew
• And issues with HVAC systems

This protection carries through in winter, too! Ice dams are one of the most dangerous winter roof threats. These blockages happen when melting snow refreezes on the edge of your roof, pushing water up under your shingles instead of allowing it to drain off. 

A good ventilation system keeps your roof remains at a safe and consistent temperature year round. 

But ventilation is a “more is better” type of situation. Having the right size is just as important as making sure you have enough. 

Is your ventilation sized right for maximum protection? Let’s find out! 

Does Your Home Have The Right Amount of Ventilation?

Ventilation is one of our favorite topics. We’ve covered types of roof vents, and how they work, here in this article. 

The question we want to answer today is: How do you know if your ventilation is sized right? 

The best way for a homeowner to get a simple estimate is by using a tool like this: An attic ventilation calculator. By measuring the square footage of your attic, you can get a ballpark feel for how much your home needs. Most basic calculators will recommend 1 sq ft of ventilation per 300 sq ft of attic space. 

But if you’ve noticed: 

• Ice dams in winter
• High HVAC bills
• Damage to your asphalt shingles

You might not have the right level of ventilation, even if you do have that recommended ratio installed. 

Why You Might Need More…or Less…Ventilation 

Every home, and ever era of home, is different. 

Modern homes don’t ‘breathe’ the same as pre-1970s construction. Advancements in insulation, window construction, and even design preferences like ceiling height can play into just how much airflow is moving through your home and into your attic.

It’s not uncommon for us to fix or replace damaged roofing on a modern build that could have been prevented through increased ventilation. Development contractors don’t always think about the amount of ventilation a new build will need for longevity!

The good news? If you do live in a new home, a professional roofing specialist (like Vern Martin!) can take a look at your home to make an expert assessment. Adding ventilation is easy and a very affordable preventative measure to protect your home. 

Another reason you may need to add more ventilation? Modern updates to your older home. 

If you’ve replaced your single-pane windows with energy efficient alternatives, added interior or attic insulation, or installed weather-proof siding? Your older home may not be getting the air flow it once did. 

Big improvements- like additions, insulation, and windows- should always trigger a ventilation check. After all, you don’t want to spend all that money you saved on air conditioning on replacing your roof!

Safe Through Every Season

Ventilation is tricky to evaluate on your own. The good news? We’re here to help! 

We’d be happy to drop by and give you a free evaluation of your roof’s health. We’ll make sure your ventilation is sized right, and check the current state of your roof so you know what to expect in the years ahead. 

If you’re ready to install ventilation designed to last, give us a call at 570-345-0436. We’d love to get you on our schedule so you can start seeing those savings on your heating and cooling bills.