The exterior of the house can look so beautifully cool from the outside, but the core benefit is on the practicality of how the interior design can help hide from the heat of the day in the house. It’s about the most colorful things that come between the house and the temperature the house is feeling; using the air conditioning, shade for those rooms and heat rising up from the ceiling after sunset.
However, the new solar-powered ventilator systems provide a modern, potentially cheaper, solution to vent trapped heat, with an added benefit of being more efficient in harnessing renewable energy.
1. Reducing Extreme Heat Buildup Beneath the Roof
Once inside the enclosure, there may not be anywhere for the heat to go, and temperatures in that cavity can rise significantly higher than those of outside air, especially on hot days when roofs are exposed to solar radiation.
A single solar panel runs a DC motor and an extractor fan to remove the warm air from the roof. Replacement air is drawn in through the soffit, gable or other suitable inlet vents. But a fan alone is not enough to guarantee performance.
A professional in solar roof ventilation systems will take into account critical air exchange variables that together help achieve an ideal extraction capacity.
Such elements include:
- Roof-cavity volume and layout.
- Existing intake openings and airflow restrictions.
- The fan’s rated extraction capacity.
Some models with thermostatic controls will be turned on, once an established temperature is attained. This specific method takes away accumulated warmth as opposed to providing it simply through passive air movement.
2. Stop Moisture from Damage to Roof Structure
There is more than just hot air trapped in the ceiling space. Bathrooms, kitchens and quite a few typical household tasks will be regularly placing damp atmospheres into the atmosphere and some of that water vapor might make its way into the roof space. And when the wetter air meets the cooler surfaces then the timber, metal fixings or the underside of the roof sheeting can lead to condensation.
Persistent dampness can also promote the development of mold, decay of timber and damage to insulation. However, by having the correct design of roof ventilation, moist air can be discharged if your system is able to adequately ventilate the building via the right intake duct.
For example, most detached backyard structures are not wired for traditional electricity. Hence, structures like pergolas that feature motorized side screens, low-E glass facades, or ZIP wind-protection blinds, where air cannot move freely, can greatly benefit from solar-powered vents.
However, any other problem must be addressed adequately in a different way, like a leak in the roof, a blocked drain or a broken vapor control layer. Before installing a ventilation solar-solution, a professional installer will follow the trail of the moisture. If it is found to be condensation, here are some options:
- Improving roof-space ventilation.
- Correcting bathroom or kitchen exhaust arrangements.
- Repairing leaks and addressing insulation deficiencies.
If it is correctly diagnosed, it means you are able to terminate all signs of the new damage at once forever.
3. Reducing Indoor Heat and Air-Conditioning Requirements
Come home on a summer day and realize your upstairs rooms are significantly warmer than your other rooms? You might have the right air conditioner, but heat may be infiltrating from the ceiling, creating additional cooling load.
Using the solar ventilation to draw the hot air from the roof-cavity should provide significant reduction in the level of heat that is being radiated into the living area. This will aid your air conditioning load when combined with high quality ceiling insulation and sealing.
However, due to the numerous variables including, type of house, climate and natural ventilation, the results will vary. A fan as a single solution will not overcome inferior insulation or poorly sealed ceiling penetrations. The most effective way to find out where he will get the biggest bang for his buck is to take a look at the whole thermal system. A contractor can then tell him if anything from roof venting, insulation or air-leakage repair will be most effective before he spends any money.
4. Using Solar Power to Achieve Practical, Low-Operating Cost Ventilation
Normal powered attic fans use the power supplied by the house network. PV powered attic fans use electricity produced from the suns energy, so the extracted fan can run even when there is not enough power to run the fan from the mains.
This makes solar ventilation a very attractive option for homes that are lit up all day with sunlight where the roof is likely to get even hotter. Variants may have thermostatic controls or optional battery storage.
Prior to selecting a unit, ask:
- Is the airflow rating, working conditions, roof compatibility and warranty of the unit suitable?
- Is there enough replacement air to the design-removing the air with no path in may compromise performance.
A competent installer will be able to complement the building rather than just buying off the peg.
In essence, no home is perfect and ultimately it is the way you tie everything together in your house that results in a comfortable home. Identify the issue you are trying to fix and your measures of success in fixing it. That will help you make the right decisions, avoid overcapitalization and be successful.