Cooling Finished Attic

Install the ridge vent.

Cooling finished attic.

Using the current hvac system. Portable air conditioners do need to be vented to pump the hot air outside. Stained or left bare wood makes a low ceilinged attic feel snug and cozy. You can vary the look by using boards of different widths.

Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. In very warm climates they will be effective as long as your attic space is properly insulated against the elements. If it is and you plan to provide heating and cooling to the finished attic space you need to remove. Put in a ceiling fan for better climate control photo by william enos.

To install the vent remove all cap shingles. A window air conditioning unit is also a good option for cooling an attic. Install electric ventilators and attic fans which remove hot air from an attic. The third graph shows attic temperatures from the middle of the attic for several different types of roofing as well as a sealed attic.

A portable air conditioner is the easiest solution for cooling your attic. In this case the most reflective roofing material ivory ir selective metal tile is 23 4 f cooler than attic covered with dark shingles. In many homes the insulation layer in the attic is along the floor. If you ve got headroom a fan will make a finished attic more comfortable in warmer months by giving you a cool breeze indoors.

This isolates the attic from the rest of the home which means the attic isn t part of the conditioned envelope. They have thermostats that turn the fan on at a recommended preset temperature of 100 110 degrees. Because attics are naturally prone to being the hottest space in the house during summer and the coldest space in the house during winter having a working heating and cooling system is a must in a converted attic. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.

When finishing an attic the biggest question is often how to regulate the temperature. They re easy to install portable and can be removed for winter or cooler seasons. It s a standalone unit that s about two feet tall and 18 inches wide and has wheels for mobility. Alternatively install passive vents such as gable soffit and ridge vents which are openings in the roof that allow hot air to escape.

One of the most effective ways to convert your attic space into a spare bedroom is to remove the insulation from the floor and add insulation to the attic ceiling.