Should I Run My Solar Attic Fan In The Winter

Attic ventilation is one of the most important things you can do for your home, and attic fans are the best way to ventilate the space. Many homeowners think that ventilation is only important in summer, but this is far from the truth. Although yes, ventilation is important when the temperature is high, but it is also important in winter-if not more important.

Prevent moisture accumulation

In winter, heat flows continuously in your house. As the heat rises, it may be trapped in your attic, and the hot air is humid. The cold temperature outside makes the bottom of the roof cooler, which makes the conditions in the attic even more humid. When moisture accumulates, it can cause serious damage to your roof. Not to mention that mold and mildew thrive in humid environments.

In order to prevent the accumulation of moisture, a fan in the attic is essential. It circulates the air and prevents the accumulation of moisture.

Prevent condensation

During the winter months, heat is not the only air gathering in the attic; hot air from exhaust fans, laundry and even dishes rises to the attic. When warm air hits the cooler surface of the attic structure, the moisture in the warm air collects on the water droplets on the surface and then turns into frost. This condensation will drip and collect on the insulating material, which can damage the insulating material and reduce its efficiency. Ineffective insulation can seriously affect the efficiency of your home, leading to higher energy bills.

Prevent ice dam

In areas where it snows in winter, ice dams are a serious problem. The warm air collected in the attic heats the roof and melts the snow. The melted snow drips under the eaves and eventually refreezes, forming an ice dam under the eaves. When the snow melts, it gathers under the ice dam, then works under shingles, returns to the attic, and finally drips onto the ceiling.

Protect the roof to extend its service life

During the winter months, when the warm air in your house rises to the attic, the space under shingles will get hot. Ultimately, this can cause shingles to become brittle, causing them to fail and shorten the life of the roof.