Solar-powered attic ventilation? Cool! A solar-powered ventilation system is an energy-efficient way to keep attics ventilated throughout the year. More and more homeowners are discovering how to protect their attics from unwanted summer heat and damaging winter moisture — without electricity. Thanks to a new, environmentally friendly, solar-powered roof ventilator, it’s possible to reduce heat and humidity in the attic throughout the year. Effective attic ventilation provides year-round benefits, adding comfort by reducing heat and moisture in the attic, and helping to reduce energy consumption. In warm weather, ventilation helps cool the attic by minimizing the transfer of heat from the roof to the attic. A cooler attic helps protect roof materials from early failure and helps reduce cooling costs. Ventilation also helps protect against moisture damage. In cooler weather, warm, moist air can become trapped in an attic that lacks ventilation. Water vapor can form and collect on trusses, beams, rafters and sheathing. Moisture can also drip onto insulation. Wet insulation loses its r-value, leading to greater heat loss, colder rooms and higher fuel bills. Secondary effects of moisture also emerge: wood rot, stained ceilings and peeling paint. The key to attic ventilation is creating a steady flow of air throughout the attic. Circulation is created with intake vents placed low in the attic and exhaust vents near the peak of the roof. Intake vents allow cool, fresh air to enter the attic. Cool air mixes with the warm, moist air in the attic and moves to the peak where it can exit out of exhaust vents. Most vents rely on thermal effects — warm air rising — to operate. The Solar Powered Roof Vent from CertainTeed Corp.’s Air Vent division, works actively, pulling air out of the attic year-round to help protect the attic from heat and moisture damage. The solar panel collects light from the sun and converts it into power that drives the fan to actively ventilate the attic. No electrical wiring is needed to install the fan and there are no ongoing electricity costs. The dome sits on the roof and can replace an existing attic vent. The solar panel has a 10-foot cord so that it can be placed next to the vent, or it can be moved to a different area of the roof to maximize solar collection. The fan circulates 800 cubic feet of air per minute and will ventilate a 1,200-square-foot attic. Since the fan works with the sun, it provides ventilation during the daylight hours when it’s needed most and it works all year round. To learn more about the Solar Powered Roof Vent, call (800) 527-1924 or visit the Web site at www.airvent.com.