Air Handler Warms Attic During Winter Ice Dams

There will always be some water vapor on your little patch of the 75 percent water earth.

Air handler warms attic during winter ice dams.

The attic temperatures eventually exceed the external temperatures increase the chances of ice dams. For the next several weeks. 1 warm air rising to the peak of the attic. Gaps into the attic usually caused by insufficient or improper attic insulation cause this warm air to get into and settle in the attic.

A warm attic is a warm attic. Keeping your attic cool during winter is the best if not the only way to prevent ice dams. What causes ice dams. A powered roof vent or attic fan is an affordable solution that can dramatically improve ventilation and minimize ice dams in winter and prevent heat from building up in your attic in summer.

While some warm spots on the roof occur because of sunlight most are caused by heat escaping from the heated portions of the house. Also it should go without saying that a dehumidifier won t help one pinch to prevent ice dams. Freeze thaw conditions in our forecast. Ice dams are a common side effect of poor attic insulation during the winter and icicles on the edge of your roof are an obvious warning sign.

I am in a hot climate near the gulf coast in texas with the air conditioning unit is in the attic. In warm climates it is common practice to run heating and air conditioning ducting through attic spaces simply because it is easy to do. During the winter the indoor air is warm and humid. 2 cold air at the lower part of the roof warm air rises especially just above the eave where the temperature is about the same as outdoor air.

To learn more about solving ice dams see prevent ice dams with air sealing and insulation. There are a number of reasons why your attic is warm in winter including air leaks poor insulation or insufficient attic ventilation. The outdoor air is cold and dry. Warm air naturally rises and will find its way in the attic if there is room to pass through.

Ice dams can lead to damage to shingles and gutters as well eventually cause roof leaks and water damage. Unfortunately this practice is all too common in our northern cold climate putting air conditioning ducts in the hottest possible place in the house during the summer and putting heating ductwork through the. How to prevent ice dams from freezing rain snow. But drying out the air will only accomplish so much.

This acts as a layer of insulation preventing heat loss therefore it makes it warmer in the. Exhaust vents placed high on the roof allow warm moist air to be pushed up and out of the attic.