How To Tell If Your Attic Is Too Hot

When temperatures are soaring outside, you can expect your attic to be even hotter. In fact, an attic that isn’t well ventilated can reach as high as 150 degrees in the summer which is fifty degrees higher than it should be. How important is ventilation in the attic area? Well, what many homeowners don’t know is that the attic is much more than just a forgotten space of a house. It’s responsible for keeping the heating in and the cold out.

When The Attic Isn’t Ventilated
When the attic isn’t well ventilated and insulated, this can cause heat to migrate throughout the entire house. In warm climates, where the sun constantly beams down on to the roof the attic quickly fills up with hot air, pushes down into the house and as a result raises the temperature. When things heat up, you’re more inclined to run the air conditioner longer than you should. As the AC works harder than it normally would it will make your energy bill increase.

Also, high temperatures in the attic can affect the health of your roof. Excessively high temperatures will eventually lead to deterioration of the items you’ve stored in the space as well as cause moisture problems.

Signs That the Attic Is Too Hot
The attic should have a uniform flow of air circulating from the outside, through the attic to exhaust the rest of the house. In many instances, an attic fan can be helpful in improving air circulation. So how can you tell if your attic is just too hot? There are a number of ways you can determine whether the temperature in the attic could be damaging.

Record the Temperature
You can start off by using an outside thermometer to measure just how hot it gets in the attic each day, especially on days when the sun is out. Make sure you use a thermometer with a range of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit

Molding
Have you noticed any molding in the attic? This can be a sign that the space is overheating. Inadequate ventilation will cause moisture and condensation. This can eventually cause damage to the roof deck and sheathing.

Clogged Vents
Some homes have soffit vents which work to move air in and out of the home. If these vents become clogged this can be an indicator of overheating in the attic.

Rotting
Visible rotting such as cracks or shrinking of the wood in the attic is a big indicator that the attic is too hot.

Yes, if you want to keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter it’s important to have a well-ventilated attic. Along with improved energy efficiency, it will also preserve the health of the roof.