I recently bought a house and have been making upgrades to help keep it cooler. We installed R-48 blown insulation to replace the old stuff in the attic. However, we didn't add soffit vents during the insulation work, which is leaving me concerned about the temperatures in the attic. I have two gable vents (20x25 inches each) and two 14-inch whirlybirds for ventilation. A thermal temp gun shows the attic framing is around 145°F and the roof is exceeding 150°F when it's 110°F outside. The good news is that the inside of the house feels comfortable, and the AC is performing better since the insulation was installed. I'm looking for suggestions to cool the attic without the high cost of soffit vents if possible.
3 Answers
Attics usually heat up, especially during those scorching summer days. Honestly, your temperature readings aren’t out of the ordinary considering it’s 110°F outside! As long as your house remains cool and the AC is working efficiently, your attic heat is manageable.
Yeah, your attic temperatures seem pretty normal for the situation you're in. Just remember, if your home feels comfortable and your ventilation systems are working, you're doing well. You might want to tweak things but don’t panic too much!
Sounds like you’re on the right track with your concerns! While your inside is fine, I totally get wanting to lower the attic temps if possible. I have read that excessive heat can shorten the life of your roof, so finding a balance could help. Have you considered adding fans to improve airflow? That could be a lower-cost solution than soffit vents!
Exactly! Plus, if you manage to optimize airflow, it could reduce how hard your AC works, saving you money in the long run. Definitely worth considering!