[John_W]

I thought all the homes in TV were built with ridge vents. My CYV has them, I think that's really all you need. If you want more air, crack open the attic access steps in your garage. I use to do that, then I realized two things. The fire block to the house from garage is gone. Also termites don't live above 120 degrees, so those wooden trusses are about the only worry I have in a masonry home, so i don't mind a hot attic. My electric bill is never more than $85 with SECO anyway.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by biker1

You have no idea what I know or don't know. Once again, the physics of heat transfer in the attic is dominated by radiative transfer. Attic ventilators will not address that issue. Continued rambling about ceiling penetration sealing doesn't change the physics. Got it?

I know a tremendous amount on attic cooling in TV. In fact I have 631 billion* data points on this. I will never understand why posters here can not appreciate it when someone is helping with facts supported by reams of data.

*10,000 a second for two years

[biker1]

I tend to believe the scientists who have done real research on building science. Being a scientist myself, I go with the facts. You don't seem to understand basic physics. Whatever, feel free to carry on.

Originally Posted by Toymeister

I know a tremendous amount on attic cooling in TV. In fact I have 631 billion* data points on this. I will never understand why posters here can not appreciate it when someone is helping with facts supported by reams of data.

*10,000 a second for two years

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by biker1

I tend to believe the scientists who have done real research on building science. Being a scientist myself, I go with the facts. You don't seem to understand basic physics. Whatever, feel free to carry on.

Then you will appreciate that the actual savings from radiant barriers are 3 to 5 percent of cooling costs as measured by users. Or one to two percent of actual electric bills

Your best guide is the real world. But if you want a scientific study here you go National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Home Page | NREL › docsPDF
Internal Roof and Attic Thermal Radiation Control Retrofit Strategies for ... - NREL. It found 2.4 degrees Celsius cooler attics in those with radiant barriers. While 4.32 degrees is great a attic fan that can lower the temp ten to 20 degrees is better.

Guess what? That study found. Wait for it


Three percent savings in COOLING costs. So here we go scientific proof.

But feel free to carry on. Better yet do your own study as I have.

[Chatbrat]

Instead of worrying about saving money, worry about making money, IMHO, most people would be way ahead if they invested the money they spent on energy saving devices & other things related to their domicile in the companies selling the technology and other related items.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

Instead of worrying about saving money, worry about making money, IMHO, most people would be way ahead if they invested the money they spent on energy saving devices & other things related to their domicile in the companies selling the technology and other related items.

The reason that I HAVE money to invest is BECAUSE I save money in a myriad of ways.

[BostonRich]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

You may think the fan comes on and stays on for hours, it isn't always so. It can come on, cool the attic shut off only to come on again . A rain storm almost immediately shuts off the fan as the roof cools.

I guess you can look at this two ways.

1 - It doesn't cost much to operate since it only runs 213 hours a year.

2 - It doesn't do much since it only runs for 213 hours a year.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by RAAndre

I guess you can look at this two ways.

1 - It doesn't cost much to operate since it only runs 213 hours a year.

2 - It doesn't do much since it only runs for 213 hours a year.

3. I have the thermostat set too high.

4. It is so effective than it only needs 213 hours to cool the attic.

Or something else.

But here again the OP got 16 years out of a roof that was power vented. Above average life expectancy?

[steel45]

Yes. Ridge vents are a must and are very efficient

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by steel45

Yes. Ridge vents are a must and are very efficient

Agree. Ridge vents are the only thing you need. They don’t wear out, stop working, or need replacing.

[biker1]

Agreed. Also, houses are designed with sufficient vented soffit area to match the ridge vents and the round passive vents at the top of the roof with respect to airflow. I believe the reason for this ventilation is to prevent any moisture buildup.

Originally Posted by photo1902

Agree. Ridge vents are the only thing you need. They don’t wear out, stop working, or need replacing.

[Annie66]

My oh my ….. we have some folks with their knickers on fire.

I am taking care of a friend's home. I knew he wanted to install a radiant barrier while he was gone, so I placed a remote temperature sensor in his attic. Before the barrier was installed, it read, on average, about 129 deg F during the afternoon. After the radiant barrier was installed, the attic's average temp was 113 deg F during the afternoon. The heat load on the ceiling is significantly reduced.

[Bethwill]

Why are you two getting so intense about a minor issue. It all sounds like a waste of money. Life is too short and I'm sure you both can find something better to do with your time than fight about who knows more about heat transference.

[glsatterlee]

Yes, Foam is the absolute best. I have begged for two years to have foam sprayed in my new house, during build, but The Villages would not do it. But times are changing, and I’m hearing rumors that it might start happening.

I have no idea what the others here know or don’t know either. I do know solar powered fans have done little to no good on our Ivy. We have two but see no difference. I would suggest you get the advice of “real” experts and research actual facts and make your decision based on that. There are a lot of opinions on this forum, but they are just that.