What Purpose Do Attic Fans Serve?

Alexandria, VA is known for its pleasant climate throughout most of the year, but summers can often be oppressive. One way to deal with the heat and humidity is to install an attic fan in your home. Attic fans are often overlooked in comparison to other HVAC services, but they can make a real impact. Here are just a few of the benefits attic fans can bring to your home.

Improved Cooling

It’s not uncommon for temperatures in an attic to soar to 150 degrees or more during particularly hot days. This sweltering heat often passes into your home’s living space, adding to the burden on your cooling system. An attic fan mitigates this issue by expelling hot air and replacing it with relatively cooler outdoor air. This lowers the heat and humidity and improves your home’s performance in hot weather. It may even help you avoid the need for air conditioning repairs by reducing the strain on your system.

Roofing Protection

Keeping your attic’s heat and humidity in check comes with other benefits as well. In particular, a cooler and drier attic places less stress on your roofing materials. A scorching attic can transfer a great deal of heat to your roof. This thermal stress can cause shingles and other materials to wear prematurely. High humidity can also cause serious issues. A poorly ventilated attic often leads to excessive moisture buildup. This increases the risk of water damage, organic growth, and other moisture-related issues. Considering the cost of a roof replacement, an attic fan is often a very wise investment.

You probably don’t give your attic much thought, but it could be causing major problems in your home. Adequate ventilation is key to keeping your attic’s conditions in check during Northern Virginia’s steamy summers. To learn more about how attic fans can protect your home, check out Commonwealth Cooling & Heating’s professional HVAC services. You can also call 703-436-8028 to speak with a friendly representative.