Problems with Attic Trusses - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Feb 14, 2024 · Problems with Attic Trusses. If you are designing with attic trusses to create conditioned living space, be warned it is difficult to detail this assembly, making it susceptible to heat loss and air leakage. Attic truss framing forms a space that, when conditioned for occupants, is challenging to air-seal and insulate well.
How to Insulate and Air-Seal an Attic Hatch
May 2, 2012 · Air-seal the trim – The first step is air-sealing the finish trim and enclosure around the attic hatch. Carefully pull down the finish trim. (Pray that the installer used finish nails and not, say, ring-shank nails.) Set aside the trim and, using caulk for smaller gaps (less than 1/4″) or foam sealant for larger ones, seal the gap ...
Are Powered Attic Ventilators Ever a Good Idea?
Sep 9, 2021 · Powered attic ventilators can keep an attic cool, but they also can cause combustion safety problems and increase your cooling bills. [Photo by Energy Vanguard] It’s time to revisit one of my favorite topics: the powered attic ventilator. Ten years ago, I wrote an article titled “Don’t Let Your Attic Suck — Power Attic Ventilators Are a ...
Air-Sealing an Attic - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Sep 20, 2013 · If you want to improve the energy performance of an older house, one of the first steps is to plug your attic air leaks. Although many GBA articles address aspects of attic air sealing, no single article provides an overview of the topic. This article is an attempt to provide that missing overview. I’ll try to explain how you can seal air leaks in a conventional vented, …
Attic Upgrades and Ventilation - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Sep 30, 2024 · The 1000-sq.-ft. attic has two small gable vents, the AC/furnace system is 25 years old, the roof is a 6-7/12 pitch covered in clay tiles, and on hot days the attic temperature can reach 130°F. BGG had an energy audit done, which informed his plan to remove the existing fiberglass batts, air-seal the attic, install a ducted heat pump system ...
All About Attic Venting - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Dec 6, 2013 · Here are the four most common reasons people suggest to explain the practice of venting attics: To reduce the chance of moisture build-up in the attic or condensation on the underside of the roof sheathing. To make roofing shingles last longer. To lower cooling bills during the summer. To reduce the chance of ice dams.
Installing an ERV in an Unvented Attic - GreenBuildingAdvisor
The temperature is about few degrees less or the same as outside temperature with stable RH. If its 91 degrees outside with 70%RH, its expected to be 90 or 91 degrees with 45-50RH inside the attic. 1) Noticed that the humidity is around 35 at the lowest and 52 at the highest and usually it drops down to around 40ish and stable.
How to Insulate and Air-Seal Pull-Down Attic Stairs
Oct 10, 2012 · The first step is air sealing the finish trim and enclosure around the attic hatch. Carefully pull down the finish trim. (Pray that the installer used finish nails and not, say, ring-shank nails.) Set aside the trim and, using caulk for smaller gaps (less than 1/4″) or foam sealant for larger ones, seal the gap between the attic hatch ...
Creating a Conditioned Attic - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Dec 31, 2010 · Most duct seams leak; as a result, supply ducts lose conditioned air to the attic, while return ducts suck in attic air — air which is hot in summer and cold in winter — and bring it to the air handler. If access to the attic is through a hatch, servicing any HVAC equipment in the attic is awkward at best. The bottom line: running ducts ...
All About Attics - GreenBuildingAdvisor
Sep 12, 2014 · Types of attics. There are several kinds of attics: The classic attic is located above a flat ceiling and has the same footprint as the house below. Some attics are smaller than the footprint of the house, like the attic above the second floor ceiling of a Cape. Some attics have a triangular cross section, like the attics behind the kneewalls ...