Can an Attic Be Ventilated If the Furnace Is in the Attic?

Identification

• Attic ventilation is designed to keep a flow of outdoor air running through your attic, which helps keep it cool in the summer months. During the winter, proper ventilation is important to keep cool air flowing throughout your attic, reducing ice dams that can be damaging to your home. Attic fans are also an integral part of attic ventilation systems. These fans push hot air to the outside by drawing cooler air through attic vents and soffits.

Effects

• If your furnace is in an improperly ventilated attic, you may have ice dams form on your roof during the winter after snowfall. Ice dams form when snow melts from a warm roof top and freezes again near the gutters of the roof. Improperly ventilated attics also cause your air conditioner to work harder during the summer, causing higher electric bills.

Common Ventilation Mistakes

• One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with regard to attic ventilation is blocking their vents. When soffit vents are blocked by insulation, air cannot be pushed out of your attic properly. Rafter vents or insulation baffles must be installed to allow homeowners to completely cover their attic with insulation without blocking soffit vents. With these vents in place, insulation can be brought all the way to the eaves of your home without covering soffits.

Considerations

• You must seal all air leaks around your furnace for your home to be energy-efficient. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, all gaps around your furnace flue must be sealed with high-temperature caulk. Avoid using spray foam, because this pipe is hot. When placing insulation around your furnace flue, building codes require at least 1 inch of clearance from metal flues to reduce the risk of fire.