Shawn wrote:
On Sun, 17 Jul 2005 22:23:02 GMT, "Joseph Meehan"
wrote:

Shawn wrote:
I live in a 20 year old (or so) condo. My attic/loft is livable
space, but is always uncomfortable in the summer. I've been doing
my research on powered attic ventilators, but because of safety
issues felt it would be better to go with the passive approach.

In looking at the venting, I have a ridge vent, and some soffit
venting, but only on the front. When there is soffit vent, it's
stagged sections every 18" or so across the front, not a continuous
soffit vent as I would expect. However, in the back the soffit is
solid, or so it appears. There is no visible venting in that soffit
at all. Some new units in the development were built in the last 2
or 3 years, so I thought I'd see how they did it and make a case to
have the venting installed. SAME THING. In the new units they
have staggered venting in the front soffits, and solid soffits in
the rear.

What gives? I thought the idea was to have good venting on both
sides of the attic soffit? Why would a builder do it this way,
with solid in the back and vented in the front?

I've taken temperature measurements, and when it's 80 degrees
outside, its typically 120 degrees in the attic. I can't install
gable vents, because they are brick/block and not permitted to be
altered. PAV is out because of backdrafting, I have a ridge vent -
so what are my options?

Shawn

It appears someone put in insufficient venting. Without seeing
it, it would be difficult to tell. May I ask if there are any other
vents than the soffit vents? Soffits let air in, you also need vents
up higher to let the hot air out. I will also suggest that power
venting and what venting designs work best does depend on local
conditions. What works for me may not work well for you.


Thanks, Joe. The only other venting is the ridge vent, maybe a 20'
section or so, on a 30' roof line.

Ridge venting is good.

Other than that, there isn't
anything else. Just the every-other soffit vent in the front, and
solid soffits in the back.

Local codes should specify how many square inches of vent per square
feet of area vented is required. More is always better.

All the venting in the place is bad -
dryer is vented to the attic,

Very bad, and against code in many areas.

air conditioner water discharge goes out
to the soffit vent in the rear, and it just drips out wherever it
finds an opening, bathroom fans are vented to the attic. Not a great
setup, so I'm trying to make the changes all at one.


Yea they all need changing.

Does anyone know if there are roof discharges for dryers?

Yes. I would prefer a gable end vent, but that is not always possible.

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit