Roof turbine

[trashcanman]

I am considering installing 1 or more roof turbines to cool my house attic (quite hot in N. Tex). Anyone have experience with them? That is, are they really effective & save on cooling costs? Approx 2000 sf roof area, DFW area.

 

[MikeHalloran]

They help a little here in SoFla.

A foot of insulation helps a lot more.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[KiwiMace]

Thermostat controlled fans are pretty common here in Ohio, and a foot of insulation helps too.

Attic spaces get into the 100's easily, and all that heat will conduct into your occupied space contributing to the cooling load.

 

[imok2]

It is possible for turbine vents to pull conditioned air from the inside of your home. Modern building principals and most model building codes mandate that you have soffit ventilation vents that act as intake air locations. As air is pulled from the attic space by the turbine vent, ridge vent or even an electric powered fan, the same amount of air must be allowed to flow into the attic space where the roof passes over the exterior walls of the home. If there is not enough soffit air coming in, then the vents may create a partial vacuum in the attic space. To relieve this pressure, the vacuum may pull air from the inside of your home. This is not a good idea.

If you decide to add more turbine vents to your roof, be sure to buy ones that are aluminum. These will not rust. In addition, pay attention to the maximum roof pitch that will work with the turbines. The turbines are adjustable so that the spinning part is level even though the roof is slanted. Not all turbines will fit all roof pitches. The maximum roof pitch is almost always printed on the box label. Finally, be sure the ball bearings are permanently lubricated and sealed. Nothing is more bothersome in the middle of a windy night than a squeaky roof turbine!