Attic Air Flow Diagram

An outdoor unit which houses the fan condenser and compressor and an indoor unit which holds the evaporator and fan.

Attic air flow diagram.

Fans and vents may be installed on the roof system that will draw the air out of the attic space and exhaust it to the exterior. Most updated central air conditioned homes have a new air conditioner split system meaning the ac is broken up into parts. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. Misconceptions about the air flow in your attic can lead to thousands of dollars in damage and repair costs.

These fans may be controlled by a switch or a thermostat which detects heat build up in the attic space and automatically exhausts the attic space. We insulate moisture proof and throw up every barrier to heat and cold. Increased ventilation will make the entire roof cold and reduce or eliminate ice dams. If your attic is well insulated the insulation might be plugging the spaces between rafters just above exterior walls.

So why put an hvac system up in the attic at all. Box out light fixtures. Well mainly it s a way to save space. Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below.

Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an attic. It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow. The solution is to add baffles which allow air to flow past the insulation photo 9. The ice traps water behind it allowing the water to seep back under the shingles and leak through the roof.

Baffles are available at home centers. Water is insulation s enemy. Whole house fans powered attic fans. A different animal first think of your attic and roof as a separate entity from your home.

The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house. In the summer natural air flow in a well vented attic moves super heated air out of the attic protecting roof shingles and removing moisture. Your home is a heated conditioned area that is designed to keep air in. Attic hvac systems save space.

That means air can t flow from the soffit vents to the roof vents. These ice dams form when warm attic air melts the snow on the roof and the water refreezes along the colder edge of the roof.