Turbine roof vents problems

This video explores some of the disadvantages to the small rotating wind turbines often found on residential roofs. Turbine vents are wind-driven roof vents designed to enhance roof ventilation. We do not recommend the use of turbine vents.

On calm days they do not help ventilation of the roof to any great extent. On windy days they may lead to excessive ventilation and depressurization of the attic. This will cause an imbalance in the attic air flow. To solve this issue , intake vents such as soffits or drip edges must be installed.

When roofing , a contractor may install crooked turbine vents. During installation, turbine vents must be placed perfectly level for them to function effectively . In an effort to explain to a client why turbine roof vents are not a good thing I produced the attached graph. It shows graphically that there is an i. They have fins that open when they turn in the win and this spinning action creates suction that draws hot, humid attic air outside. Depending upon the diameter of the vents and the wind speed outdoors, the turbines can expel vast quantities of humid air before it becomes a problem.

A small 12-inch-diameter turbine vent with a constant wind speed of miles per hour (mph) can remove 3cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) from the attic space. Since turbines are attached directly to attic spaces, they can siphon . Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit, you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as ba if not worse. I know its a real open question and the answer will be yes they can leak but I need to know the downside of these vents.

Purpose: To recommend practices for minimizing water intrusion through roof vent systems that can lead to. Adequate ventilation of attics is generally required to promote the health of wood structural members and sheathing in the attic. Roof turbines not only work to remove hot air from summer attics, they also provide ventilation to reduce moisture. By covering the turbine in winter, this effect is lost and moisture can quickly build up in the attic, causing structural damage and increasing the chances of mold and mildew. In the photo above we see all three of the main types of roof vents.

Problems arise when you use different types on the same attic space (notice I did not say same roof , we will explain that one in a moment). The ridge vent and the turbine vent are passive and rely on convection, hot air rising to work. I have no problem doing it when the reason is solid. If the static roof vents are covered by snow, airflow is also greatly reduced. All vents should be kept clear of snow.

If the problem of warm moist air leakage is not addresse the turbines will suck more warm moist air into the attic and not help your . Also, roof vents that are constantly covered in snow are not much use. So we want our vents to stand up high of the snow. The turbine does that, but there are serious problems with turbines in a cold climate.

The far more popular conventional whirlybird operates when wind hits the turbine fins, causing the vent to rotate. The motion creates a vacuum that sucks air out of the roof space. Unfortunately, a single whirlybird will not usually suffice for a modern home, and may require up to four or six units to be installed to feel an effect! I am thinking of replace two roof vents (one on each section of a roof of a side split home) with turbine vents.

Has anyone had any problems with turbine vents ie. Your opinions are much appreciated. Home insulations have a cost effective solution to this problem. Purchasing a wind master tornado turbine will ensure that moisture and heat will escape your building.

It will ensure that black mol and your insulation is not destroyed.