How Effective Are the Roof Turbine Fans?

Timing

• One of the primary problems associated with turbine roof vents, in terms of their effectiveness, is that they tend to do the least amount of work when they are most needed. Conversely, they work the hardest when they are needed the least. In many locations this is true because the summer months tend to be the least windy and this happens to be when these vents are needed to suck the hot air out of the attic. In the winter months, when you need to retain the heat, they work the hardest and draw the remaining heat out of the attic.

Energy Consumption

• Despite the fact that roof turbine fans may not be the most effective when they need to be, they do provide an economical way to remove the heat from the attic. Most attic-ventilation systems require the use of some type of electric power, whereas roof ventilation turbines do not. They are powered only by Mother Nature. These types of ventilation systems are completely passive and make basically no noise whatsoever that can be heard in the house.

Winter Ventilation

• Even though the roof turbine fans do the most work in the winter when the least amount of heat is present in the attic and needs to be retained, they are still needed during this time of year as well. In fact, they can be more important during the winter because of the potential for moisture buildup inside the attic. Without roof turbine fans, the amount of moisture buildup in the attic can reach a significant level that may cause damage to the roofing and inside portion of the attic. Furthermore, as Tim Carter of the Ask the Builder website contends, the notion that the too much warm air is removed during the winter is a myth. Instead, he blames inadequate insulation for heat removal.

Considerations

• When choosing turbines for your roof, there are some considerations you should make when doing so. For instance, you have to have equal ventilation coming in through your soffits so that you don't create a vacuum suction through the turbines. Also, you cannot simply buy any old roof turbine for every roof. Roof turbine fans are rated to work with certain roof pitches. Pay attention to these numbers, or you may end up wasting your time. Aluminum turbines are best since they tend to be rustproof.