As more and more new homes are being built with energy efficiency in mind, roofers are increasingly turning to solar attic fans to deal with snow and ice that forms inside attics.
Known as “attic rain,” this phenomenon happens when built-up moisture in the attic freezes to interior beams and surfaces during the winter months. As interior attic temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, this frost can melt, and then leak down into a building’s interior through the ceiling. Newer homes are especially at risk, since energy efficient materials often form tighter seals and allow less moisture to escape.
Buildups of moisture typically occur during the winter months when falling snow melts upon contact with a home’s warm roof. The runoff then refreezes in the eaves, causing a blockage of drainage called an ice dam. These dangerous ice dams cause further runoff to seep underneath the shingles and into the attic interiors. In fact, ice dams are one of the leading causes of homeowner insurance claims in the winter months.
The resulting buildup of moisture and water damage can cause dangerous mold and mildew to grow. Without proper ventilation, these in turn can lead to dangerous health problems for occupants inside. Entire homes may even be condemned if moisture isn’t brought under control. And just how much “attic rain” can build up inside a home? As we’ve covered before, Canadian roofer Antoine Bourque has found attics with enough snow inside to build a snowman. It goes without saying that the existing ventilation systems of most homes are not enough to keep attics dry.
Why are solar attic fans necessary?
Most homes come with built-in passive vents. However, these typically rely on differences in air pressure between the indoor and outdoor environments to circulate air. In order for an attic to stay dry, all of the moisture-laden air must be circulated out 10 times an hour. While these passive vents are typically enough to satisfy most local building codes, they are certainly not up to the task when it keeps to protecting your home from “attic rain.”
That’s where solar attic fans, like those in iSolarSolutions’ bestselling FLEX line, come into play. Solar attic fans automatically switch on when air circulation inside your home is inadequate, giving your home’s passive vents a much-needed boost. In the winter months, they push out moisture-laden, warm air outside.
This keeps the attic interior dry, and the overall attic space cool. A cooled attic prevents snow from melting upon contact with the roof’s shingles outside. This in turn prevents dangerous ice dams from forming. All these factors create an environment that is inhospitable for mold and mildew growth, and the potential for water damage.
How do I install one?
Ease of installation is one of the best features of fans in iSolar Solutions’ collection. Most of our solar attic fans fit into a home’s existing vent holes and don’t involve complicated wiring. This makes installation a breeze, minimizing the need for extensive roof alterations and the need to hire an electrician. In fact, most general contractors and roofers can handle the job in as little as 15 minutes.
For additional protection, the fans in iSolar Solutions’ lineup can also be fitted with a TAS 100 Miami Dade and CSA-approved SNOWVENTCO cover. Featuring micropore technology, these specially-designed covers keep over 99 percent of snow, hail, rail, insects and vermin from entering your attic, while still allowing air to flow freely.
The TAS 100 Miami Dade certification makes the SNOWVENTCO cover the only certified cover of its kind that is:
- Blizzard wind and snow proof
- Hail resistant
- Hurricane wind and rain proof
- Resistant to fading and weakening (after 4,500 hours of heat lamp testing)
- Rated at a higher fire resistance rating than asphalt shingles, and releases less toxic emissions than most roof materials in the event of fire
- CSA approved and TAS 100 Miami Dade approved
We understand that your home and your family’s health is a long-term concern. So we stand behind the quality of the fans in our lineup with a limited 20-year warranty. For even more peace of mind, iSolar Solutions maintains a network of trusted installation partners who thoroughly understand the science of proper building ventilation.
To learn more about how a solar attic fan can protect your home from “attic rain”, please contact one of our knowledgeable sales staff at 1-844-684-7723, or by email at info@isolarsolutions.com.
