My Attic Feels Cool In Florida

In existing homes the question is important.

My attic feels cool in florida.

Poor insulation is usually the culprit although if you enter the attic on sunny winter day your attic space can be warmed by the sun more than your furnace. There are two main ways to solve this problem. If you want to cool your attic proper insulation is the best place to start. Take its temperature.

Spray foam insulation applied to your attic ceiling can reduce and prevent water damage caused by rain water. Your air ducts deliver cool air to different areas of the home. The best option for insulating florida homes is spray foam insulation which has a high r value and is water resistant. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100 110 degrees.

When the hot humid attic air contacts the cold duct or the cold duct boot the moisture in the air condenses on the cold surface just like the condensation that happens on a cold can of beer. So if there are leaks along the ductwork that allow cold air to escape into the attic or basement your home won t get as much cool air as it needs to reach your set temperature. Hang an outdoor thermometer in your attic making sure its range. If you don t worrying about how best to keep the attic cool is a bandaid on a self inflicted wound.

Alternatively install passive vents such as gable soffit and ridge vents which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape. Air ducts with leaks allow conditioned air to escape into unconditioned areas i e. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under. Florida homeowner s guide to adding attic insulation january 22 2014 if you have a home built before 1982 your home s attic is probably under insulated.

The air in your vented attic is hot and humid just like all outdoor air in florida. Cool air in hot air out attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation your furnace should not be heating your attic. Install electric ventilators and attic fans which remove hot air from an attic.

Missing or inefficient insulation in the attic means that cool air in your home can easily escape. For the same reasons we just went over energy escaping your home will make your energy bills skyrocket. It will keep the unwanted hot air out of your home and make it easier to cool your living space.