Finished Attic Too Hot

Not the overabundance but the lack of insulation in the attic.

Finished attic too hot.

Using insulation only keeps the attic s heat from traveling through your home. Since parts of a finished attic are usually very close to the roof. Poor insulation is usually the culprit although if you enter the attic on sunny winter day your attic space can be warmed by the sun more than your furnace. Within the attic insulation is a must.

Attic spaces are typically very hot in the summer and very cold through the winter. Without properly insulating your finished attic room will also be cold in the winter. And it can cause your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to and send your energy bills soaring with the temperature. What s happening is called reverse stack effect.

It will help to keep the attic much cooler in the summertime. Using the current hvac system. Not only will airsealing not going to make your top floor finished attic hotter in summer it is in fact the only thing that will make it cooler up there. Whether it s 110 f or 130 f there s not much difference in the amount of heat flowing from the attic to the living space below.

Without properly ventilating the roof your finished space can be just as unpleasant as an unfinished attic. In addition hot air in your attic could increase moisture levels which could result in wood rot and mold growth. Because attics are naturally prone to being the hottest space in the house during summer and the coldest space in the house during winter having a working heating and cooling system is a must in a converted attic. Combine this with the hot air rising from the lower floors and you re looking at a perfect recipe for uncomfortable upstairs environments.

But by adding powered attic fans you will draw more air into the attic. A thick insulation between 14 to 18 inches will help reduce heat from entering your home. When the attic and attic access are not properly sealed and insulated the hot air coming in through the roof can leak into the lower floors of the home. Another reason your attic is so hot is because of insulation.

Unless your roofing system has insulation on the roofing deck and is designed without ventilation your furnace should not be heating your attic. When finishing an attic the biggest question is often how to regulate the temperature. Your air conditioners are creating cooler drier denser air which sinks to the bottom of the house. The attic is a huge determinant in keeping your entire home cool so the first place to start cooling your home should be the attic.

The thermostat will usually start at 95 degrees fahrenheit which is the temperature that the attic fan usually starts at. Just make sure the ceiling is airtight and fully insulated and the temperature in the attic doesn t matter much. If hot air is allowed to sit in your attic it could overheat the shingles on your roof and cause damage.