- Solar attic fans can help, but they're usually just supplemental.
- Ridge and soffit vents are the real deal—passive airflow beats active fans most times.
- Insulation upgrade first would've def helped your fan perform better... hindsight's always 20/20, right?
"Ridge and soffit vents are the real deal—passive airflow beats active fans most times."
Totally agree here, passive ventilation usually wins out... but have you checked if your soffit vents are actually clear? Seen plenty of times insulation or debris blocking them, reducing airflow big-time.
Good point about checking soffit vents for blockages. When we first moved into our house, I thought the attic ventilation was solid—ridge and soffit vents installed and everything. Turns out, previous owners had blown-in insulation added at some point, and it completely blocked most of the soffit openings. Took me a weekend to carefully clear them out and install some vent baffles, but what a difference that made in airflow.
"Seen plenty of times insulation or debris blocking them, reducing airflow big-time."
Exactly my experience too. After clearing those vents, the attic temps dropped noticeably during hot summer afternoons. Passive ventilation really shines when everything is set up properly. Glad you got your attic under control—feels great knowing your home's systems are working efficiently now.
I've been wondering about something related to this... when you installed those vent baffles, did you notice any difference in your heating or cooling bills afterward? I've heard mixed things—some folks swear it helps efficiency, others say it's mostly about attic temp and moisture control. I'm considering doing mine soon, but since I'm on a tight budget, it'd be good to know if there's a noticeable payback on energy costs or if it's more just comfort-related.
Did mine last year—quick thoughts:
- Bills didn't drop noticeably, maybe a tiny bit.
- Attic definitely cooler and less humid.
- More comfort than savings, imo.
Worth it? Probably, but don't expect big energy payoffs.
