I've got a question about my attic's temperature. I recently renovated my roof and had smart intake edge vents added, along with new exhaust vents. My house is pretty old (about 80 years), and I've always struggled with high attic temperatures, especially during hot summer evenings. I was hoping that these new vents would keep the attic cooler, but when I checked last night, it felt just as hot as before. I'm really disappointed! Could anyone explain how effective these smart intake vents really are? I'm curious about why my attic remains so warm despite these changes.
4 Answers
It's pretty normal for attics to get super hot in summer, even with new vents. Vents help with air circulation and bringing in cooler air, but they don't actually cool the space down on their own. If you're looking for a true drop in temperature, you might need to add insulation or a radiant barrier, not just rely on venting.
For example, I put in a quiet attic fan, and it made a big difference in my home's temperature. I also use a whole-house fan at night to cool things down. It really helps!
Adding those soffit vents you got is a smart move! They create a chimney effect, allowing warm air to rise and escape while bringing in fresh outside air from the soffits. This setup should help manage your attic's heat better than before.
However, if you're really trying to make a difference, consider installing a powered attic fan. They can significantly improve air turnover and keep your attic temperatures more in line with the outside heat. Just make sure your air inlets are free and clear for the best effect!
But the smart vents didn’t do anything to change the heat! It still feels the same!
If you haven’t added reflective insulation under your roof, it’s not likely to make a big impact on heat. To minimize heat, reflective insulation can really help bounce it back outside. Whatever kind of ventilation you have, if the insulation isn't there to work with it, the heat's going to still be a problem.
I just wonder if smart intake vents are just a way for roofers to upsell extra features.
So what's the point of the smart vents, then? My roofer said they would help lower the attic temp, but I don’t see any improvement!