Air Conditioning - Ridge Vents Savings on Central AC
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Ridge Vents Savings on Central AC
foreverkeeps
08-19-06, 11:41 AM
6 yr old 1900sqft ranch on a slab. Bonus room above garage. Just installed ridge vents on all roof ridges.
Any idea to calculate about how much percentage wise the ridge vents will help with cooling? We keep the a/c at a conservative 76.
Any idea to calculate about how much percentage wise the ridge vents will help with cooling? We keep the a/c at a conservative 76.
CovTiger
08-19-06, 04:38 PM
Don't know of any kind of formula as there are too many variables, starting with what type ventilation before the ridge vent. If you have lived there a while you can try to compare your past and future utility bills.
airman.1994
08-19-06, 04:40 PM
Their will be no difference! In summer the heat load in the attic is from radiant heat, all the airflow in the world will not correct this! Only two things that I know of will. One closed cell spray foam to seal attic or a reflective radiant barrier.
foreverkeeps
08-19-06, 07:16 PM
Thanks Guys!
Like your signon airman. youngest son going to Meps next month, then to San Antonio. Goal to fly fighter jets.
So does the ridge vent do any good? My bonus room feels cooler.
Where do you put the reflective radiant barrier?
(How come my smiley always stays at the title? )
((female posters are easy to spot, I bet.... goes off and blushes)) ((Can't add smiley beside post)):)
Like your signon airman. youngest son going to Meps next month, then to San Antonio. Goal to fly fighter jets.
So does the ridge vent do any good? My bonus room feels cooler.
Where do you put the reflective radiant barrier?
(How come my smiley always stays at the title? )
((female posters are easy to spot, I bet.... goes off and blushes)) ((Can't add smiley beside post)):)
Ed Imeduc
08-19-06, 07:17 PM
The ridge vents just dont cut it if they have the filter in them it builds up dirt and they dont work. Some places code dont allow them anymore as the wind can blow the rain back into them. We always use button vents near the ridge
For and a attic you need 1 sq ft of vent for every 150 sq ft of attic 1/2 in and 1/2 out.
The sq ft of the attic X 0.7==== the CFM of a vent fan for the attic. The vent fan on a tstat is the best pay back in the attic.
For get the R/B the Gov. gives it 5 years and it no good . They say the dust kills it.
ED
For and a attic you need 1 sq ft of vent for every 150 sq ft of attic 1/2 in and 1/2 out.
The sq ft of the attic X 0.7==== the CFM of a vent fan for the attic. The vent fan on a tstat is the best pay back in the attic.
For get the R/B the Gov. gives it 5 years and it no good . They say the dust kills it.
ED
CovTiger
08-19-06, 09:19 PM
Properly constrcuted and clean ridge vents with good soffit vents do work. That's why your room feels cooler. I have sealed up my ridge vents and have NO attic ventilation due to a massive remodel with a new roof. My a/c unit went from a normal cycle to running almost 24 hours a day the day we placed the underlayment over the ridge. Heat rises and with good incoming ventilation you will exhaust the hotter air out of the attic. Although I haven't measured the temperature I would guess my attic is a good 40 degrees warmer without the ridge vent... maybe more.