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Would a cool breeze in your attic help...

Q – I think I need better ventilation in my attic. Is there a problem with using a ridge vent and a power-ventilated fan?

Mike in Canton

A – Actually, you would think the more ventilation systems in the attic the merrier. After all, removing hot air out of the attic makes everyone happier.

However, that is not the case.

The proper use of a ridge vent system is to have soffit, or overhang vents that allow outside air to enter freely, move up through the rafters, then out the ridge vent.

A power vent in addition to a ridge vent ends up pulling air back through the ridge vent and force it out through the fan, which basically moves all the flowing air to one small localized are around the fan.

It ends up not ventilating the entire attic space.

To make sure your ridge vent is working properly, check the soffit vents and make sure that they aren’t covered with insulation. That will allow for full air flow.

Remember - you can use a power fan with gable, canned or soffit vents – or any combination of the four. But don’t use it with a ridge vent.

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