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Ventilation in new builds—are we overlooking something important?

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Posts: 15
(@mindfulness467)
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- Glad you brought this up—just moved into a new build myself and noticed the attic feels super stuffy.
- Wondering if builders typically factor in extra ventilation when planning for energy-efficient upgrades like solar panels or extra insulation?
- Seems like the more we seal things up for efficiency, the more we might accidentally trap moisture...
- Curious if anyone else had to tweak their ventilation after moving into a newer home?


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fashion_echo
Posts: 16
(@fashion_echo)
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Moved into my first new build last year and noticed the same thing—attic felt like a sauna. Ended up adding a couple extra vents, made a huge difference. Seems builders sometimes overlook airflow when chasing efficiency...


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Posts: 11
(@dev385)
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"Seems builders sometimes overlook airflow when chasing efficiency..."

Yeah, I've been wondering about this too. Is it just a cost-saving thing, or do they genuinely think the standard setup is enough? When we moved into our place, I noticed the attic was crazy hot even on mild days. Added a ridge vent and some soffit vents—night and day difference. Makes me curious if builders are testing these homes in real-world conditions or just ticking boxes for energy ratings...


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sailing842
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(@sailing842)
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I manage several newer properties, and honestly, I wonder the same thing. Do builders even consider practical use or just stick to minimum code standards? I've had tenants complain about stuffy rooms and condensation issues even though the builds supposedly passed all inspections. Retrofitting vents or tweaking HVAC setups usually solves it, but shouldn't that be standard practice by now instead of an afterthought...?


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richardmetalworker
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(@richardmetalworker)
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Had the exact same issue when we moved into our new place a couple years back. Brand-new build, passed all inspections, but the upstairs bedrooms felt stuffy and humid all the time. Turns out the builder had done just enough to meet code—bare minimum venting, no real thought about airflow or practical comfort.

Ended up having to install extra vents myself and tweak the HVAC ducts to balance things out. Honestly, it wasn't even that complicated or expensive, which makes me wonder why builders don't just do it right from the start. Seems like they're more focused on ticking boxes than actually making homes comfortable to live in.

I get that builders have budgets and timelines, but ventilation isn't exactly a luxury feature—it's basic quality of life stuff. If homeowners are constantly having to retrofit solutions after moving in, something's clearly off with how these standards are set or enforced...


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