Options to Install HVAC in a House With a Gable Roof

HVAC and Gables

• A gable rooftop is the traditional residential house roof style, with a roof that angles down over an attic or crawlspace in a triangle-like descent. This design creates a space that has serious heating issues, especially during the summer months. When hot air rises and creates a pocket of thermal energy inside the gable roof, it needs to be released so you can properly heat your home. The solution to this heat pocket is an HVAC system that includes roof vents or fans to continue cycling air properly.

Gable Vents

• Gable vents are vents on either side of your house or vents installed directly into the peak of the gable rooftop in order to access the attic space it covers. These vents are a vital part of any gable roof construction and you need to install them if they are not already a part of your attic framework. With these vents in place, hot air is able to escape fast enough to allow the other systems, such as the air conditioning unit, to perform their jobs efficiently.

Adding Soffit Vents

• If you have a very large house, or if your gable vents are small while your attic space is big, you need additional venting. The solution is soffit vents, which go along the sides of your gable roof where it overhangs your siding. These vents provide additional air access into and out of your attic. Ridge vents and other venting options are also available for even more air flow.

Ventilation Fans

• If heat and moisture from condensation are a serious problem for your house, consider installing a ventilation fan. Varieties include rooftop fans powered by wind movement that draw up air to expel it through the top of your roof, and attic-based fans that ensure the air does not stagnate as it rises through your home.