Why Your Attic and Upstairs Are Too Hot

Attics are typically used for extra storage, so they’re not a part of the home that gets a large amount of foot traffic. Given this, issues tend to go unnoticed in the attic until they’ve turned into ones that can’t be ignored. One common symptom of an attic in need of TLC that is often ignored is extreme high or low temperatures. This is especially true in the warmer months since it’s commonly known that heat rises. While it is true that heat rises, that heat needs somewhere to go or it can lead to structural damage to your home or damage to your personal belongings. If your attic and/or upstairs are too hot during the summer and too cold during the winter, it may be time for some attic enhancements.

Why your attic is a different temperature than the rest of the house

Hot air is lighter than cool air. As a result, it rises as high as it’s able to rise. If you picture your house, the highest point is most likely your roof. Since your roof is designed to keep the weather out of your home, it’s pretty good at stopping most of the air that floats up to it.

The air in your home gets hot in several different ways. Sun from the windows, warm air coming in from outside, and the heat from cooking, electronics, and showers all work together to warm the air. As it warms, it rises. Some air collects under the ceilings in each of your rooms, but more continues up to collect under your roof in your attic.

Air should be able to easily move from inside to outside of the house in properly designed attics, allowing the space to cool down and obtain a temperature that is similar to the outside environment. You’d expect your attic to be cool when it’s cold outdoors. However, because of the lack of insulation, your attic accumulates heat faster than the rest of your home because it absorbs heat straight from the sun. Your attic is gaining heat at a much higher rate than it is allowing hot air to leave. This is likely the main reason that your attic feels so hot.

Home improvements that can be made to fix this

Insulation

Insulation works by trapping pockets of air, which slows down the airflow in both directions. Your climate-controlled air stays inside longer, and the cold or hot outside air stays out longer. Because heat rises, attic insulation is even more important than wall insulation. The better the attic insulation, the longer it takes heat to escape from your warm home to the cold outside. It also helps to keep the warm climate-controlled air inside during the winter months. This not only provides comfort in your home, but it will help you to save on heating and cooling costs.

Ventilation

Poor air ventilation can cost you comfort, money, and damage to your belongings. That’s why it’s important to make sure you have proper attic ventilation and to keep it maintained through the years. All the extra heat and lack of air movement in the attic can indirectly cause structural issues, adding to your costs over time. Lack of attic ventilation can lead to problems such as:

• Excess moisture that creates the perfect environment for mold and wood rot.
• Expansion and contraction of wood that damages your subroof and shingles.
• Ice dams in the winter that can cause water damage when they melt.
• The cost of having to fix an unventilated attic.

Proper attic ventilation not only adds comfort to your everyday life in your home, but it also helps to retain your home’s value and the investment that you’ve made into it. This will especially prove to be beneficial if you ever find yourself in the process of selling your home.

Attic Services by Jersey Shore Crawlspace Enhancement

We offer a wide array of attic services designed to protect your family, your home, and the investment that you’ve made into it. Routine attic evaluations by a moisture management professional are the best practice to ensure that your attic is insulated properly and free of issues commonly found in attics such as excessive moisture, humidity, mold growth, and pest activity.

To schedule your attic evaluation or learn more about our attic services, click the button below or complete the form at the bottom of this page.