Should You Run an Attic Fan in the Winter?
When you think of an attic fan, you probably think of a fan that ventilates your attic and keeps temperature down during the hot summers. While attic fans are extremely effective at reducing high temperatures during the summer, did you know that they can also be useful during the cold winter months?
How Does Moisture Form in the Attic During the Winter?
It’s nearly impossible to prevent any moisture from ever reaching your attic. Daily activities like showering, bathing, cooking, and laundry produces warm, wet air that rises into your attic. This problem is even worse in the winters when your windows are shut. If you don’t have an attic fan, the moisture in your attic will accumulate and lead to worse problems.
What Types of Attic Issues Can an Attic Fan Help With?
Mildew and mold: The build up of moisture in your attic provides the perfect habitat for mold and mildew to take root. Mold and mildew is bad for your health and can be very difficult to eradicate.
Wet insulation: Not only does moisture damage insulation over time, resulting in the need to replace it earlier than if it stayed dry; but wet moisture also causes insulation to lose its thermal resistance. This means that you’ll insulation will be less effective and heat will escape your home more easily, resulting in higher heating bills.
Ice dams: In addition to moisture being a problem for your attic during the winter, heat is something you want to control too. When heat builds up in your attic, it can cause your roof to warm up and melt any snow that’s laying on top. Then, the melted snow refreezes and forms ice dams.
Indoor air pollution: Indoor air pollution is a little-known, yet serious problem, especially in the winter. Cooking, burning candles, and a number of other common household activities cause air pollution to build up in your home. When you have the windows closed during the winter, this problem only gets worse. Attic fans can help you reduce indoor air pollution during the winter and year-round.
How Can an Attic Fan Benefit You in the Winter?
It’s true that attic fans aren’t just useful during the summer, but during the winter they can help you to avoid some serious problems that can cost you time and money later on.
If you didn’t already know, moisture in the attic is equally, if not more, harmful in the winter as in the summer. Moisture in the attic can cause a wide array of problems that can lead to costly repairs and even structural issues. However, running an attic fan during the winter will keep your attic dry and stop these problems, and others, from ever developing in the first place.