1 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Attic Ventilation WEATHERIZATION ENERGY AUDITOR SINGLE FAMILY WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012

2 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Learning Objectives By attending this session, participants will be able to: Explain the purpose and principles of attic ventilation. Summarize misconceptions about attic ventilation. Determine ventilation needs by code and practical alternatives. List ventilation options. Propose specific attic ventilation. Describe safeguards for ensuring that attic ventilation does not cause problems. ATTIC VENTILATION

3 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Removes solar heat during hot weather Removes moisture vapor during cold weather Purpose of Attic Ventilation Photo courtesy of US Department of Energy ATTIC VENTILATION

4 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Common Misconceptions Attic ventilation always removes moisture vapor during cold weather. Attic ventilation will cure an attic moisture problem. The more attic ventilation, the better. Attic ventilation is not necessary. ATTIC VENTILATION

5 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Post Wx Attic Moisture Problems Mold on SheathingFrost on Sheathing Both conditions occurred after attics were insulated and vented, not before. ATTIC VENTILATION Photo courtesy of US Department of Energy

6 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Passive Attic Venting: Convection How does it work? Natural Convection Hot air rises, escapes high vents Cooler air pulled through soffit vents Heat rises, escapes ridge vents Inlet (Cool Air) Outlet (Heated Air) Ridge vent ATTIC VENTILATION Graphic developed for the US Department of Energy

7 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Passive Attic Venting: Wind How does it work? Bernoulli Principle Positive pressure on windward side Negative pressure on leeward (protected) side Air sucked out leeward vents WIND ATTIC VENTILATION Graphic developed for the US Department of Energy

8 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Power Venting Attic fan mounted in central hallway used in non-air conditioned homes. Roof vent (pictured) used in air conditioned homes. Neither is recommended as weatherization measure. Potential for moisture condensation is high. How does it work? Fan-powered roof vent ATTIC VENTILATION Graphic developed for the US Department of Energy

9 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Code Issues Requirements are based on presence of ceiling vapor retarder, climate zone, and vent location. Options: 1/150 One square foot of net free vent area per 150 square feet of attic 1/300 One square foot of net free vent area per 300 square feet of attic Thermal boundary - Ceiling ATTIC VENTILATION Graphic developed for the US Department of Energy

10 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Code Issues Attic ventilation not required when the roof assembly is the thermal and pressure boundary. Thermal boundary – Roof deck ATTIC VENTILATION Graphic developed for the US Department of Energy

11 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Applied Ventilation Formula Calculate the number of roof vents required. Climate is Zone 7. Ceiling is air sealed and insulated. Ceiling has vapor retarder. Ceiling area is 60’ x 30’. Each vent has a net free area of 60 square inches. How many roof vents does it take? Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy ATTIC VENTILATION

12 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Applied Ventilation Formula Ceiling = 60’ x 30’ = 1,800 square feet. Formula for attic with vapor retarder = 1/300 1,800 ÷ 300 = 6 sq. ft. required NFA ventilation Convert to inches: 6 sq. ft. x 144 sq. in./sq. ft. = 864 square inches 864 ÷ 60 square inches NFA/vent = vents! ATTIC VENTILATION

13 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Ground Rules and Specifications Vented attics should not communicate with the conditioned space. The ceiling air barrier must be continuous with no leakage. Specify appropriate attic sealing as part of the work scope. Specify that vents be placed low and high on roof. Specify eave chutes when soffit vents are present and loose fill insulation is needed. Specify that all mechanical ventilation ducts and plumbing stacks are vented directly to the outside. ATTIC VENTILATION

14 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Venting Configurations In a perfect world... Continuous ridge vent Continuous eave vent (soffit vents) ATTIC VENTILATION Graphic developed for the US Department of Energy

15 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Vent Types Gable vent Eave vent Roof vent Images courtesy of J&R Products Inc. ATTIC VENTILATION

16 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Vent Types Turbine ventR-144 mushroom roof vent ATTIC VENTILATION Images courtesy of J&R Products Inc.

17 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Vent Placement Roof vents placed high on roof Photo courtesy of PA WTC Continuous soffit vent ATTIC VENTILATION

18 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Cut hole to fit; test fit vent. Caulk edges of hole where flange will sit. Slide vent into place under shingles. Seal and nail. Vent Installation ATTIC VENTILATION Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy

19 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Vent Placement Gable vents are attached similarly to roof vents. Photos courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy ATTIC VENTILATION

20 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Attic Window Vent Photo courtesy of the US Department of Energy ATTIC VENTILATION

21 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Eave Chutes Eave Chute Photo courtesy of PA WTC; Product photo by J&R Products, Inc. ATTIC VENTILATION

22 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Mechanical Vent Terminations ATTIC VENTILATION Photo courtesy of PA WTC

23 | WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM – December 2012eere.energy.gov Summary Vent attics where possible and practical. Follow 1/150 and 1/300 code guidelines. Don’t specify vents to solve an attic moisture problem. Keep moisture out of the attic by air sealing. Use the right vent for the job. Place vents high and low. Avoid turbine or power vents. ATTIC VENTILATION