Ridge Vent Vs. Attic Fan: What Is The Major Difference?

Ventilation is an often overlooked yet extremely important aspect of your home’s energy consumption. Ridge vents and attic fans are the two most common types of attic exhaust systems. So, what is the difference between a ridge vent and an attic fan?

An attic fan is located inside your home in the attic and pushes hot air outside. Ridge vents are found on top of your roof along the ridge on the slope and they allow hot air to escape. You shouldn’t use a ridge vent and attic fan together because it is harder for warm air to get out.

However, you can have better results if you use a roof turbine in combination with a ridge vent. Attic fans are expensive to run because they require power to operate. Follow along as settle the ridge vent vs. attic fan debate.

Ridge vents are a type of exhaust system located on your roof. You will find ridge vents on roofs that have ridges and are sloped. They sit over an opening that allows exhaust to escape from your attic without allowing moisture in.

Attics are at risk for moisture building up and rain or snow coming in through a vent. It is difficult for wind to blow snow and rain into a ridge vent if it is installed properly. Ridge vents are unique in that they don’t require power to work effectively which is helpful for your energy bills.

Attic fans serve a similar purpose to ridge vents, but they work differently. An attic fan is located inside of your attic as opposed to on your roof. You can install an attic fan on the ceiling, preferably in the center of the attic.

Attic fans are an effective way to expel hot and humid air out of the space to keep your home cool. The main downside to attic fans is that they require lots of energy to operate. They can increase your energy bills and potentially put a strain on your HVAC system during the summer.

Solar attic fans are a much more cost-effective alternative to a standard attic fan. They run off of solar energy which can greatly reduce your energy bills. However, there is debate as to how effectively solar attic fans work compared to a standard unit.

Many solar attic fans operate below 1,000 cubic feet of air per minute which isn’t enough to cool an attic. It may be an effective alternative if you live somewhere that doesn’t get too hot during the summer. Solar attic fans are a bad option if you live in a hot, humid, and sunny climate with extended sunlight during the spring and summer.

You can expect to spend an average of $350 for a solar attic fan before installation costs. Installation costs can add another $100-$200, but it’s worth it if you live in a mild climate.

It is not ideal to have an attic fan and ridge vent because they don’t work well together. You can waste energy if you use an attic fan in conjunction with a ridge vent. Warm or cool air can escape when you use both which is wasteful and can affect your energy bills.

You will be left more exposed to the elements if you have both an attic fan and ridge vent. Each installation runs the risk of water damage on its own. However, your chances for water damage are doubled when you have both an attic fan and ridge vent on a rainy day.

Rain can seep in through either installation because of the strange airflow that the combination creates. The combination of an attic fan and ridge vent creates an unnatural airflow that can lead to energy loss and bring in the rain.

You can use a whole house fan with a ridge vent, but it isn’t ideal. It isn’t generally necessary to use a whole house fan with a ridge vent and it’s best to use one over the other. Most homes can get away with only a ridge vent and can forego a whole house fan entirely.

Some homeowners cannot install a ridge vent if their roof won’t support it, however. With that said, you can pair a whole fan with a ridge vent as they are compatible in most homes. You need to consider the excessive hot hair exhaust that comes from using both a whole house fan and a ridge vent.

That is enough to stop many homeowners from using both, but they are compatible. Make sure that you have enough ventilation if you have a whole house fan and ridge vent.

You can use ridge vents and turbines together and they are a great combination. Roof turbines are far superior to attic fans because they provide much better ventilation. The main benefit of using ridge vents and turbines together is that you won’t have to worry about excessive moisture in your attic.

Vapors in your attic can lead to water damage eventually without proper ventilation. Roof turbines are better than attic vents and can more easily expel vapors from the space. Attics are a common location for mold and mildew which can cost thousands of dollars in repairs.

Luckily, that isn’t a problem when you install ridge vents and turbines together at your home. The instance when turbines won’t work well is if you live somewhere with weak winds. Consider using ridge vents and turbines together if you live somewhere with moderate to strong winds to improve ventilation.

Ridge vents are located on your roof and work to remove exhaust from your attic. They can help keep your home cool during hot and humid days, and they require no energy. Ridge vents are a type of passive exhaust system that works without a power source.

Attic fans are inside your attic and push hot air outside. They are expensive to run because they use lots of energy when they run, and that can add up quickly. You can use a ridge vent and attic fan together, but it is not effective.

The combination of an attic fan and ridge vent is ineffective because of the uneven current. Air, rain, and snow can enter your attic if you use a ridge vent and attic fan together in some cases. However, you can use a ridge vent in conjunction with a roof turbine with great results as an alternative.