[tophcfa]

We are getting a new roof next month and the roofing contractor also installs solar roof vents for $650 each. I am undecided if I want to have one installed (our house is small enough so one vent should be adequate). I understand that the vent will help reduce the hot air in the attic when needed most during periods of full sun, but am not sure it would be worth the investment. We have never had one before and have been just fine without one. On the other hand, would the savings on our Air Conditioning related electric bill be reduced enough so the vent would pay for itself over a reasonable period of time? Any feedback from fellow Villagers who have first hand experience with these vents would be greatly appreciated.

[retiredguy123]

Lots of threads on this topic. Generally, people who have them will tell you yes, and people who don't will tell you no. I'm in the no group. One problem is that you will never know if it is still working.

[villagetinker]

IMHO, you can get an AC powered fan installed for less than 1/2 of the cost of a solar unit, and it will move 10 times or more hot air out of the attic. If you get a thermostat on the unit, then it will only run when needed, and it will continue to run after sundown to cool the attic if necessary.

[Papa_lecki]

Is there a federal tax benefit you can take advantage of with solar?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

My reasoning, and I am in the yes camp, and the roof vents are on the purchase list for CY24, is that the cool air which is pumped through the attic to the individual vents, has to go through the very hot attic. Reducing the attic temp will make that attic transit a bit more efficient and the air will be a bit cooler coming out of the vents, resulting in better air conditioning efficiency.

The increase in efficiency is unknown to me, its more theory and logic than hard data.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

Is there a federal tax benefit you can take advantage of with solar?

It looks like a solar attic fan would qualify for a 30 percent Federal tax credit.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

We are getting a new roof next month and the roofing contractor also installs solar roof vents for $650 each. I am undecided if I want to have one installed (our house is small enough so one vent should be adequate). I understand that the vent will help reduce the hot air in the attic when needed most during periods of full sun, but am not sure it would be worth the investment. We have never had one before and have been just fine without one. On the other hand, would the savings on our Air Conditioning related electric bill be reduced enough so the vent would pay for itself over a reasonable period of time? Any feedback from fellow Villagers who have first hand experience with these vents would be greatly appreciated.

Let's see ...

Your house was probably designed with proper ventilation, per the International Building Code.

If your house is over 1000' sq. ft., the flim flam installers usually recommend 2 units. $1300 + tax.

You'll need ARC approval to install them.

Warm/hot air RISES ... it's not like the warm air in your home is falling back into your living space.

If you install Solar powered and the specific product is eligible, you'll get a 30% Tax Credit. Cost is now down to around $1100.

Arguable, you *may* save as much as $5-$6/month on your AC Electric bill. However, there's not a whit of real life evidence to support that conclusion.

You have added 2 "roof openings" to your brand new roof ... two more place for leaks to occur.

.... in 12 - 15 years, you *may* be back to even, if you didn't get any roof leaks.

I'd report whoever recommended them, to Crime Against Seniors.

[asianthree]

We asked at our one year inspection, if you choose to add one you need to close off certain roof vents.
At the current equipment used it does not add value to your home, will not notice any difference in cooler months and very little difference in the summer.

So we will not be adding any

[Jim 9922]

We have a Gardina model home with a high peaked roof with vented soffits all around and 4 builder-installed static "mushroom" roof vents, plus several smaller roofer-installed ridge vents. When I have been up in the attic, during any season, any time of the day or evening, I always am able to detect moving air or a slight breeze blowing thru the attic area up towards the roof vents.

So my advice is to avoid punching additional holes in your new roof and depend on the existing vents which were originally designed into your home according to original architectural and engineering specs.

As for solar powered vents, who knows if they are actually working unless you can periodically check on them. My neighbor had a couple installed a couple of years ago and was told to periodically check them by either crawling up on the roof or crawling back to an unfloored area of the attic. If you feel the real need for an additional vent and want to interfere with engineered passive flow of attic air, I'd go with the suggestion of a thermostatically controlled hard wired vent. At least you know if it was running.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

rented a house on Goodland FL, south of Marco Island before we bought in TV, and to keep the house cool, they had a huge ceiling fan which sucked all the air from the house to the attic, and the difference in temperature was about 20+ degrees cooler with the fan on. . Triangle Fans VIK Belt Driven Cabinet Exhaust Fan w/ Shutters 30 inch - VIK30 | HVACDirect.com was the fan in the ceiling.

We purchased this for the MA house as the 20 year old prior fan quit working.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Remingto...-BLK/203950463

Makes a huge difference in the attic, since we have a lot of items stored as well as the wiring closet.
Electronics don't do well with the high heat.
Single hole, only snow comes in during the winter with high winds. .
Its sitting in the garage waiting to be installed in the spring. .

[CarlR33]

Originally Posted by CoachKandSportsguy

rented a house on Goodland FL, south of Marco Island before we bought in TV, and to keep the house cool, they had a huge ceiling fan which sucked all the air from the house to the attic, and the difference in temperature was about 20+ degrees cooler with the fan on. . Triangle Fans VIK Belt Driven Cabinet Exhaust Fan w/ Shutters 30 inch - VIK30 | HVACDirect.com was the fan in the ceiling.

We purchased this for the MA house as the 20 year old prior fan quit working.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Remingto...-BLK/203950463

Makes a huge difference in the attic, since we have a lot of items stored as well as the wiring closet.
Electronics don't do well with the high heat.
Single hole, only snow comes in during the winter with high winds. .
It’s sitting in the garage waiting to be installed in the spring. .

Hopefully the unit you show is easily accessible being high up in the attic space because it show’s it being belt driven and at some point that belt will need changed. I have seen some of those in an industrial space and they can get noisy over time after collecting dirt on the blades and gosh forbid the louvers stick open or break and the birds take up residence to build nests, etc.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Let's see ...

Your house was probably designed with proper ventilation, per the International Building Code.

If your house is over 1000' sq. ft., the flim flam installers usually recommend 2 units. $1300 + tax.

You'll need ARC approval to install them.

Warm/hot air RISES ... it's not like the warm air in your home is falling back into your living space.

If you install Solar powered and the specific product is eligible, you'll get a 30% Tax Credit. Cost is now down to around $1100.

Arguable, you *may* save as much as $5-$6/month on your AC Electric bill. However, there's not a whit of real life evidence to support that conclusion.

You have added 2 "roof openings" to your brand new roof ... two more place for leaks to occur.

.... in 12 - 15 years, you *may* be back to even, if you didn't get any roof leaks.

I'd report whoever recommended them, to Crime Against Seniors.

Crime against seniors? They do this to all age groups. Just more seniors in and around TV. As others say they might help electric costs and will lessen heat in the attic. That would enable people to store items in the attic.

[Sandy and Ed]

Forget powered fans - they will burn out eventually and/or blades wil become noisy. Heat rises. Those mushroom capped vents work fine.

[KCAlan]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

IMHO, you can get an AC powered fan installed for less than 1/2 of the cost of a solar unit, and it will move 10 times or more hot air out of the attic. If you get a thermostat on the unit, then it will only run when needed, and it will continue to run after sundown to cool the attic if necessary.

They make electric fans with a thermostat that pull air into a flexible vent pipe that can be run to an eve vent going to the outside. No hole in the roof. Do these fans work and are they dangerous/fire hazard? You thoughts?

[Ponygirl]

I am in the yes camp

Also if you getting a new roof I recommend shingles that have flecks that reflect the sun’s heat and reduces energy costs

The only company that I could find here that installs the new technology shingles is the Roof Guys. I recently got a roof installed and used the Pinnacle Sun shingles. Great product

I have been pleased with the lower energy costs. Too early to really compare. Fantastic company and Sales person. Michael Mell. 352-209-9200