Attics have been used as studios for painting and bedrooms for family members. For some kids, they use it to hide their pets from their parents to avoid getting scolded.
Although these are really fun to think about, attics actually play an important part of the house.
What is Roof Ventilation?
It makes use of one of the roof components called roof vents that facilitates the entering and exiting of air called ventilation. Altogether, it helps manage the air circulation in the attic, preventing issues such as overheats, moisture, and/or condensation. Each roof type demands its own unique ventilation solution.
We could just ask the builders and construction workers to build us a house without an attic or any roof vents. However, knowing the importance is the key to understanding why our houses need it.
Let’s get into it.
The 5 Reasons Why Roof Ventilation is Important
Roof Vents and Indoor Temperatures
Current Results has tabulated Vancouver’s yearly hottest temperatures in one of their pages where in 2023, the hottest temperature ever recorded was 29°C on July 15th, summer season of the city.
In summer, when the heat of the sun reaches the roof, it increases the temperature of the attic causing the hot air to stay in the enclosed space, affecting the whole temperature of the house warmly. Additionally, the relationship between the hot air and the temperature depends on the roofing material used. This is why effective roof ventilation must be observed because roof vents are not just a roofing accessory, but it also allows the hot air to escape successfully from the attic, preventing the heat from settling there and keeping the attic, the rooms, and the house cooler, not depending solely on the roofing material.
Reduces Energy Costs
According to Teresa R., Enrica D.C., and Malcolm M. in their article of Air conditioning and Electricity Expenditure: “The use of energy for space cooling is growing faster than for use of any other energy service in buildings. Between 1990 and 2016, global demand for “cooling” energy more than tripled. Today, cooling of buildings accounts for about 20% of the total electricity use worldwide (IEA, 2018).”
The data might not produce figures as to how much there is to pay for the energy consumption, but it shows how much the people are using the ACs to fight the heat.
So how does roof ventilation reduce the energy costs? The hotter it is in the summer, the higher the temperature we want from the AC. The higher the energy it consumes, the higher is the cost for it. As discussed in the previous item that roof ventilation decreases indoor temperature, this effect cools down the attic, therefore reducing the strain on air conditioning systems, the energy it consumes, and the energy cost.
Impact of Roof Ventilation on Roof Lifespan
When the hot air cannot escape through the roof vents, this can cause condensation in the attic which would make room for mold and mildew to form. As a result, it will majorly damage your roof and roofing materials.
In cold weather, it can really become icy. Ice then builds up on the roof and when the heat of the sun melts it, the water stays at the edge and gets refrozen when the cold climate reoccurs. This builds up ice dams behind or underneath the roof, and running down water gets stuck. Not only does this affect your roof and roofing materials, but the attic and the walls inside your home too.
However, when the roof vents let the hot air out, it stops mold and mildew from forming as well as the ice from melting. This saves your roof from fastly progressing negatively, increasing the longevity of the roof as a benefit.
Roof Ventilation: Compliance with Local Building Codes
The Vancouver Building By-law on Ventilation Area Requirements typically mandates a minimum amount of ventilation area based on the roof’s size.
Taking action without any home inspector getting involved saves you from getting fined and getting asked to pay for penalties for violating the requirement. On a lesser reprimand, getting a notice of violation from a home inspector would still require you to take actions to correct the ventilation system into compliance. Rather than waiting for a notice, it is best to take action before an inspector asks you to. Either way, the goal remains the same: to install roof vents into your roof.
Airflow Across the Roofs
While this is self-explanatory, it is one of the important reasons because it is the life of the roof ventilation. It is the flow of the air from going into the intake vents and exiting through the exhaust vents across the attic and the roof. Without the airflow, there is no ventilation and there will be no 4 other reasons why it is important.
Roof Ventilation: Final Reflections
Roof Ventilation utilizes roof vents to cool the house improving the temperature, decrease energy consumption saving more money, extend lifespan of roofs refraining from getting repairs, be free from any violation, and to enhance airflow.