What is the best way to remove heat from a 2nd floor finished attic?
dc9den asked:
- Have central air w/booster fans in ducts upstairs: cool when running, but once it cycles off, get’s HOT fast.
- Plenty of insulation
- Will an exhaust/attic fan work?
- Other ideas?
Yes, attic exhaust fans will work pretty well. I installed two for a customer in Va. and it really helped. Make sure that you have them installes on a thermostat so they kick on and off as needed. If you are handy and have a little elec. knowledge you can do it yourself but would be best to have a tradesman take care of the installation. Good Luck!
Definitely install at least one exhaust fan, two is preferrable, I would also check to see if you have proper roof vents….lack of vents can cause a major heat problem. One or two ceiling fans will also help keep the air moving.
attic exhaust fans do work but you need to have plenty of intake air as well. make sure that you have adequate sofit vents. the grates under the overhangs. also make sure, if you have enough, every other rafter space is good, that they have not become covered by blown in insulation. ( a common problem.) if you have both of those then make sure you have plenty of escape venting. older homes typically have small scupper type vents. you might want to replace those with the turbine style vents they help move alot of air and should even help to reduce your cooling bill. last thing i would do is put in the powered vents. they cost alot more and you still need to have plenty of soffit vents for those to work properly. good luck.
Depends on your Location.
Exhaust Fan will move air – with a Finished attic your climate may determine the effectiveness of this.
Proper Insulation Levels is very important – Good.
– Be sure to seal off any possible air leak areas.
Low E windows are good.
It sounds like your heating and cooling system is up to par. Perhaps Zoning the attic on a separate Control might be nice for you depending on how far you want to take this?
Home Insulation Tips
Great Energy Link Sources
Everyday Simple Tips to Save Dollars on Heating Bills and a Heat Loss Diagram
We have converted many attic areas into living areas. The primary concern here is radiant heat buildup in the ceiling and sidewalls of an attic area that surrounds the living space.
If your roof rafters are in fact the sloped ceiling of your room, it could be the remodeler or builder didn’t use air baffles in the rafter cavities to move air. Also the knee walls need to be well insulated, and the attic air space needs to have lots of ventilation. Without tearing out the drywall ceiling/walls- start first by installing power vent fan in roof over dead attic space outside the living area. You may also check to see if you have a return air duct in the attic room, this helps pull hot air out of room when a/c is running.
Check it out.