Recessed lights and whole-house fans
As explained in other blogs, moisture in the attic wets the insulation and wood structural members, promoting mold growth and deterioration of the structure. Even with a good moisture barrier in place, there may be some items in your home that create holes in the vapor barrier and in the insulation “blanket” that need special attention. Two of these are dealt with in this blog: recessed lights and whole-house fans.
Recessed lights are often “open systems” that allow heat and moisture to pass from the living quarters to the attic. Furthermore, because of the heat generated by the light bulb, some recessed lights are not designed to allow for insulation to come into contact with the can because of fire hazards. In order to insulate your home well, there are some options that can be added to your recessed lights. Converting your lights to LED bulbs drastically decreases the heat of the light. Above Roofing and Exteriors offers a LED conversion kit that also seals the can so that air does not pass through it. Covers can also be placed over the can to minimize airflow and allow for insulation contact.
Recessed lights often have slots cut into the can, allowing air to move from the house to the attic. Covers over recessed lights minimize airflow and allow for insulation to be placed around the can.
Many homes we see in the Grand Rapids area have whole-house fans in the ceiling which pull air from the living quarters and blow it into the attic. These provide some cooling during hot summer days. During the winter, however, unless there is some form of insulating barrier, the whole-house fan allows a considerable amount of heat and moisture to escape into the attic. This fosters the development of ice dams, mold growth and the deterioration of structural members, including the roof decking.
Thin metal louvers on a hole-house fan allow hot, moist air to move from the living quarters to the attic during the winter. Above Roofing can fabricate a self-opening insulated barrier that minimizes this problem.
Above Roofing and Exteriors offers a number of services that help deal with your need for insulation, minimizing heat loss and protecting your home from problems related to heat and moisture migration into your attic. We have been in the roofing business in the West Michigan area for over 20 years and have grown to included services important in keeping your home safe and secure and helping you get the most of your resources. Our professional sales staff offer free estimates and a thorough evaluation of your roofing, ventilation and insulation needs. We are here for you. Give us a call.
