Which Is Better Ridge Vent Or Attic Fan

Adding roof ridge vents can reduce summer air conditioning costs prevent roof mildew and rot and keep your roof in better shape longer.

Which is better ridge vent or attic fan. Continuous ridge vents are more effective because they are installed at the peak of a roof s ridge allowing for warm air to escape from the attic. Attic fans can also make a lot of noise. Choosing a ridge vent or an attic fan. I have been doing some research and it seems like the best way to go is to use soffit ridge vents instead of an attic fan.

Unlike turbines this venting style does not have any moving parts. Unlike ridge vents attic fans use electricity and need regular maintenance to keep working properly. Without ventilation unfinished attic spaces can end up having stagnant air. When you are deciding between a ridge vent or an attic fan consider the needs of the attic.

A ridge vent is similar to a screen and allows heat to escape up and out of the attic. If you have suitable intake venting a ridge vent might be a better. However the roof is only a 2 12 pitch and i am wondering if the shallow pitch will have any adverse effect on the vents. Since your solar vent fan only moves 500 cfm a third to half that of a typical hardwired attic vent fan it probably won t move enough air to reverse the action of the ridge vent.

A ridge vent runs across the top of the roof s peak. Also since the fan is powered by the sun it should turn off when the sky is overcast during a storm which will keep it from drawing rain into the attic. Without any air movement temperatures in the attic soar in summer and plunge in winter. At one point on the roof it is about 30 from the soffit to the ridge with a 2 12 pitch.

Purchasing an electric or solar attic fan may not provide the savings that homeowners expect.