I had a similar experience with ridge vents—everyone swore by them, but my attic barely cooled off. Ended up crawling around up there and realized my soffit vents were basically blocked by insulation. Once I cleared those out and added a couple more, the airflow actually improved. Haven’t tried a solar fan yet, but after hearing about the noise, I’m not sure it’s worth it. Did Empire Roofing give you any advice on venting, or did they just install what you asked for? Curious if they actually look at attic layout or just go by the book.
When I had my roof redone (not by Empire, but a local outfit), I specifically asked about venting and they just nodded along and did the ridge vent, no real discussion. Only after the fact did I realize the soffit situation was a mess, and the ridge vent alone wasn’t doing squat. Had to poke around myself and, like you, found insulation jammed right up to the edge. Cleared it out and finally got some airflow, but it was a pain.
I’ve heard mixed things about solar fans too. Some folks love them, others say they’re noisy or don’t move enough air to matter. I’m kind of skeptical about any “one size fits all” venting solution, especially in Florida with our humidity. Did Empire actually get up in your attic to check things out, or was it just a quick estimate from the driveway? I’m always wary when contractors skip the details and just go with whatever’s standard. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth paying extra for someone who’ll actually crawl around and look at the whole setup…
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen solar fans make a noticeable difference—at least in a couple of storm repairs I’ve handled. They’re not magic, but when paired with proper soffit venting (which, yeah, is often ignored), they can help push that humid air out. The real issue is when folks slap on a ridge vent or fan without checking if the intake is even open. Had one client where the “vented” soffits were painted shut for years... no wonder their attic felt like a sauna. Sometimes it’s less about the product and more about whether anyone’s actually looking at the whole system.
That’s spot on about the soffit vents—seen the same thing plenty of times. Folks get excited about adding a solar fan or ridge vent, but if the intake’s blocked or painted over, it’s basically useless. I once crawled into an attic where the “vented” soffits were just decorative. No airflow at all, and you could feel the heat hit you like a wall. It’s wild how often the basics get overlooked while everyone focuses on the latest gadget. Proper ventilation is a whole-system deal, not just a quick fix.
Not sure I totally agree that “the basics get overlooked while everyone focuses on the latest gadget.”
True, but sometimes those gadgets—like a solar fan—can actually help if you’re stuck with poor intake and can’t easily retrofit more soffit vents. I’ve seen them make a difference in older homes where opening up the eaves just isn’t practical. Not ideal, but sometimes you gotta work with what you’ve got.Proper ventilation is a whole-system deal, not just a quick fix.
