Has anyone actually measured the temp difference between the attic and living space when the fan’s running? I’m curious if there’s a “safe” threshold, or if it’s just trial and error. Also, do you think builders are skipping intake vents to save money, or is it just oversight?
I’ve actually tried tracking temps in my own place (central Texas, so you know it gets brutal up there). When I had a box fan running in the attic for a couple weeks last summer, I saw about a 12-15 degree drop compared to when it was off. Still, the attic was roasting—think “bake your shoes” hot instead of “melt your shoes” hot. Not exactly scientific, but enough to notice a difference in how hard my AC was working.
As for a “safe” threshold, I haven’t found any magic number. Some HVAC folks say you want your attic as close to outside temp as possible, but honestly, that’s wishful thinking unless you’re living somewhere with perfect cross-breezes and zero humidity. Most of us are just trying to keep it from turning into a sauna.
Now, about builders skipping intake vents… I’d love to believe it’s just oversight, but after seeing how many new builds around here have the bare minimum for code compliance (and sometimes not even that), I’m pretty skeptical. Intake vents aren’t flashy, they don’t sell houses, and they cost money—so yeah, I think some builders cut corners where they think nobody will notice. It’s like putting in cheap carpet and hoping no one lifts it up before closing.
Honestly, I wish more people paid attention to this stuff before moving in. Poor ventilation means higher bills and shorter roof life. I had a neighbor who found mold in his attic insulation after just two years because his builder “forgot” to cut open the soffit vents. Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
If you’re building or buying new, double-check those vents yourself—or better yet, bring a ladder and a flashlight before you sign anything. Learned that one the hard way…
- Totally agree on the attic temps—mine’s in Oklahoma, and even with a solar fan, it’s still way hotter than outside. I’ve never seen it get within 10 degrees, even on a “good” day.
- Intake vents are a big deal. I’ve seen new builds where they just slap in a couple and call it good. Not always about saving money, sometimes it’s just lack of knowledge or caring.
- Mold risk is real. Had to rip out part of my own roof decking after a few years because of poor airflow. Not fun, not cheap.
- If you’re thinking about upgrades, ridge vents plus plenty of soffit vents seem to help more than just fans alone. Just my two cents.
I’ve definitely seen the same thing with intake vents—sometimes it’s just a couple of small ones in the eaves and that’s supposed to be “good enough.” In my experience, even with a ridge vent, if there isn’t enough soffit venting, you’re not getting real airflow. I’ve also noticed the insulation gets overlooked, especially around the attic hatch or can lights, which can mess with ventilation and cause condensation. Has anyone tried those insulated attic ladders or covers? Curious if they actually help keep temps down or if it’s just a minor improvement.
- Used one of those attic ladder covers last winter—honestly, made a bigger difference than I expected.
- Temps in the hallway dropped less, and I stopped getting that weird draft.
- Still gotta seal around can lights, though. Those things leak air like crazy...
- Not a total game-changer, but it’s a noticeable upgrade, especially if your hatch is right above living space.
Had a similar experience with those attic covers—didn’t expect much, but it actually helped keep the upstairs landing warmer. One thing I’ve noticed in newer builds is that everyone’s focused on tight envelopes and insulation, but sometimes ventilation gets overlooked. I’ve walked into a few places where the air just feels stale, even though everything’s technically “sealed up.”
Here’s what I usually do: after dealing with the attic hatch, I check for gaps around recessed lights (like you mentioned). Those are notorious for leaking air. I use fire-rated caulk or those little gasket kits—takes a bit of time, but you can feel the difference. Also, if you’ve got bath fans or kitchen vents, make sure they’re actually venting outside and not just into the attic. Seen that mistake more than once...
It’s not always about adding more insulation—sometimes it’s about making sure the air moves where it should and doesn’t sneak in where it shouldn’t. Not saying every new build is missing this, but I’d double-check those details before winter hits.
