Air Handler Warms Attic During Winter Ice Dams

Exhaust vents placed high on the roof allow warm moist air to be pushed up and out of the attic.

Air handler warms attic during winter ice dams.

Unfortunately this practice is all too common in our northern cold climate putting air conditioning ducts in the hottest possible place in the house during the summer and putting heating ductwork through the. While some warm spots on the roof occur because of sunlight most are caused by heat escaping from the heated portions of the house. But drying out the air will only accomplish so much. Warm air naturally rises and will find its way in the attic if there is room to pass through.

3 heavy snow coverage of the roof. 2 cold air at the lower part of the roof warm air rises especially just above the eave where the temperature is about the same as outdoor air. Ice dam prevention is best achieved in three ways. Yes in order for your house to stay cool or warm and have good airflow the attic itself needs good airflow as well so that hot air can escape out of the house during the summer and cold air can get into the attic during winter to prevent ice dams from forming and causing damage.

Ice dams are a common side effect of poor attic insulation during the winter and icicles on the edge of your roof are an obvious warning sign. Freeze thaw conditions in our forecast. There are a number of reasons why your attic is warm in winter including air leaks poor insulation or insufficient attic ventilation. I am in a hot climate near the gulf coast in texas with the air conditioning unit is in the attic.

1 warm air rising to the peak of the attic. How to prevent ice dams from freezing rain snow. Ice dams can lead to damage to shingles and gutters as well eventually cause roof leaks and water damage. There will always be some water vapor on your little patch of the 75 percent water earth.

For the next several weeks. Also it should go without saying that a dehumidifier won t help one pinch to prevent ice dams. What causes ice dams. To learn more about solving ice dams see prevent ice dams with air sealing and insulation.

A powered roof vent or attic fan is an affordable solution that can dramatically improve ventilation and minimize ice dams in winter and prevent heat from building up in your attic in summer. A warm attic is a warm attic. In warm climates it is common practice to run heating and air conditioning ducting through attic spaces simply because it is easy to do. The attic temperatures eventually exceed the external temperatures increase the chances of ice dams.

The outdoor air is cold and dry. Gaps into the attic usually caused by insufficient or improper attic insulation cause this warm air to get into and settle in the attic.