While many people think an attic is for hoarding things they don’t need, it can actually be a convenient living space. Converting an attic into a bedroom, for example, can make other rooms below available for other purposes. But expanding your living space requires addressing heating and cooling needs. If you have a finished attic space, these HVAC tips will help get the most out of it.
5 HVAC Tips for Your Attic SpaceÂ
1. Proper Insulation
Being at the uppermost level, the attic is most exposed to the outside world. That’s why it’s so important to have the right insulation. Oftentimes, the only insulating layer is along the attic floor, separating it from the rest of your conditioned space. To address this, remove floor insulation and add it to the ceiling, factoring the right type of insulation for your region and climate zone as well as the construction of your home.
 2. Attic Ventilation
Hot air can get trapped inside the attic. Proper ventilation helps regulate the temperature of your attic and home. It requires a roof vent; there are many types available suited for different types of home construction. The condition of your ductwork is important as well. At the very least, you may need a duct cleaning, but with some renovations, it may be necessary to extend or otherwise modify ductwork. Well designed and maintained ducts not only improve temperature control, but also indoor air quality.
3. Seal Your Windows and Doors
No matter how efficient your air conditioner is, cracks and gaps will allow air to escape. This causes energy costs to go up because your AC must work harder. Since most attics aren’t intended to be living space, doors, windows, and hatches here aren’t well-sealed. Adding caulking or weatherstripping can tighten the envelope. Also, look for holes in walls to fill or older windows that are too thin to hold in conditioned air. Replace them with more efficient double-paned windows.
4. Install an HVAC System for Your Attic
Extending your home HVAC system may be an option. But this can be problematic if increasing the square footage of your home’s envelope exceeds the system’s capacity. As an alternative, you can install a separate ductless system. This avoids having to add ductwork and can save money, as you’ll be installing a smaller unit for a limited space.
5. Upgrade Your Thermostat
This is one of the most overlooked HVAC tips. Your thermostat controls your entire air conditioning system. Manual models have limited function and aren’t designed for efficiency. By installing a programmable thermostat that supports zoning, you can manage the temperature depending on whether someone is using a particular room. If not, then that space doesn’t need to be as warm in the winter or cool in the summer.
Ways to Keep Your Attic Comfortable
There are many ways to manage attic temperature once your HVAC system is in place. You can reduce the demand and strain on it with:
- Attic Fans: In an airtight attic, a fan will pull hot air from your home and push it outside; examples include roof fans or gabled wall fans.
- Ridge and Soffit Vents: Ridge vents are installed on the ridge of the roof and soffit vents go under the roof eaves. They help vent hot air but, alone, aren’t usually enough to provide sufficient comfort.
- Window AC: Easy to install, a window air conditioner is suited for cooling small spaces. You can remove it for winter. If you live in a warm climate, ensure your attic is properly insulated before installing a window unit.
- Portable AC: An affordable option that’s best if your attic is used only occasionally.
- Mini-Split: A single-zone mini-split for one room lets you control the temperature independent of other rooms. Suited for heating and cooling, it can be used all year long. You can also add a heat pump to improve winter comfort.
- Space Heater: If you use a dedicated electrical source and not an extension cord, a space heater can be a safe supplemental heat source. It’s generally a short-term option, and you want to make sure someone is present when the heater is running
- Electric Fireplace: In an optional living area, an electric fireplace is safe to use for short periods if someone is present. Just plug it into an electrical source, turn it on, and you’ll have attic heating.
Contact Sky Heating & Air Conditioning
These HVAC tips can help efficiently heat or cool your finished attic. Our HVAC contractors can suggest cost-effective options that avoid tapping into your existing system or compromising safety. We specialize in central AC systems, ductless units, heat pumps, ductwork, geothermal systems, and indoor air quality solutions. Whether you need heating and cooling system installation help, or to schedule repairs or maintenance, call us at 503-673-9083.